Steroidal 17α-silyl ethers and process to corticoids and progesterones

ABSTRACT

17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxy steroids (I) are transformed to 17α-halo silyl ethers (II) which are intermediates useful in the production of progesterones (V), 17-hydroxyprogesterones (VI), corticoids (VII) and 21-halo corticoids (III) which can readily be transformed to corticoids (VII).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is the national phase patent application of international PCT patent application No. PCT/US87/02818 filed 11-2-87, which is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 020,457, filed 3-2-87 (now abandoned) which was a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 927,633 filed 11-5-86 (now abandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention includes 17α-halo silyl ether steroidal 17β-cyanohydrins useful as intermediates in the production of progesterones, 17-hydroxyprogesterones and corticoid pharmaceuticals as well as processes to produce and use the intermediates.

2. Description of the Related Art

Steroidal 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-17-ethers are known, see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,500,461, 4,548,748 and 4,585,590 which disclose a variety of ethers including the silyl ethers, t-butyldimethyl silyl and TMS (trimethylsilyl). However, those ethers are not operable in the present invention, α-halo (halo) silyl ethers are known and have been used as precursors to silicon-stabilized nucleophilic carbanions. See particularly, Silicon in Organic Synthesis, E. Colvin, Butterworth, 1981, pp. 21-29, Synthesis 717 (1985), Tetrahedron Letters 25, 4245 (1984) and Journal of Organic Chemistry 48, 2110 (1983).

Mnay examples of intermolecular addition of carbon nucleophiles, such as methyl Grignard, to protected or unprotected cyanohydrins are known. For the unprotected cyanohydrin see Organic reactions, S. M. McElvain, vol IV, p. 264. For examples of addition of TMS protected cyanohydrins see Synthesis 270 (1981), Tetrahedron Letters 24, 4075 (1983) and Tetrahedron Letters 27, 1933 (1986).

This intermolecular reaction has been used to convert protected steroidal 17β-cyanohydrins to pregnanes and corticoid derivatives, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,500,461, 4,548,748 and 4,585,590. Similar chemistry is also described in Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan 58, 978 (1985), Japan Kokai No. 57-062296, 57-062298, 57-062299 and 57-0622300 (Derwent Abstracts 82-42275E/21, 82-42277E/21, 82-42278E/21 and 82-42279E/21 respectively), Tetrahedron Letters 2005 (1971) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,510.

Deprontonation of α-halo silanes to afford nucleophiles is also known, see J. Am. Chem. Spc. 99, 4536 (1977), J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Comm. 513 (1977) and 297 (1978) and Tetrahedron 39, 867 (1983).

Silicon-stabilized carbanions are well known in the art, see E. Colvin, Silicon in Organic Synthesis, Butterworths, 1981. p. 21-29 and Synthesis 717 (1985). With regard to the formation of silicon-stabilized carbanion silyl ethers see J. Org. Chem., 48, 2110 (1983) and Tetrahedron Letters 25, 4245 (1984) where chloromethyl silyl ethers are reduced with magnesium to form the carbanion, which is added to a variety of electrophiles, but not nitriles. α-Lithio silyl carbanions are similarly prepared by reduction with lithium, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 76, 1619 (1954), and the corresponding sodium and potassium derivatives are known, J. Org. Chem. 26, 2604, (1961). With regard to the deportonation of the halomethyl silanes see J. Am. Chem. Soc., 99, 4536 (1977), J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Comm., 513 (1977), J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Comm., 297 (1978) and Tetrahedron 39, 867 (1983) where trimethylchloromethylsilane is deprotonated with sec-butyllithium. Although these latter silicon-stabilized carbanions have been added to a variety of electrophiles they have not been added to a nitrile carbon and have not been used in steroid chemistry.

Intramolecular cyclization incorporating a silyl ether in the ring are know, but are limited to radical cyclization onto carbon-carbon double and triple bonds and not to nitriles, see J. Org. Chem., 49, 2298 (1984), J. Am. Chem. Soc. 107, 500 (1985), Tetrahedron Letters 27, 2255 (1986), M. Koreeda presentation given at the 190th ACS National Meeting in Chicago on Sept. 11, 1985. The difficulty of promoting intramolecular free-radical cyclizations onto a nitrile is described in J. Org. Chem., 50, 5409 (1985). A process for cyclizing ω-halogenated nitriles using magnesium or lithium metal is discussed in J. Organometallic Chem. 87, 25 (1975). While that process uses ω-halogenated nitriles it is far different than the process of the present invention. The present invention requires an ether linkage, a silicon atom in the cyclizing sidechain and a steroid parent nucleus. Most importantly the ω-halogenated nitriles of the prior art (lacking the ether linkage and the silicon atom) once cyclized can not be opened to form the C₁₇ side chain necessary for the production of corticoids, progesterones of 17-hydroxyprogesterones as can the α-halo silyl ether (II).

Oxidative cleavage reactions are known to those skilled in the art, see J. Org. Chem., 48, 2120 (1983), Tetrahedron Letters 25, 4245 (1984), J. Organometallic Chem., 269 (1984), Tetrahedron 39, 983 (1983) and Tetrahedron Letters 27, 75 (1986).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is an α-halo silyl ether of formula (IIA) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where:

(A-I) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁ :β--R₆₋₂, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₂ and R₇ is

α--H:β--H, where one of R_(6`) and R₆₋₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, R₁₀₋₂ is --CH₃ R_(10`) and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is ═O,

═N--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ --C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ,

--X₂₁ --CH₂ CH₂ --X₂₂ -- where X₂₁ and X₂₂ are the same or different and are --O-- or --S--,

α--X₂₁ --X₂₃ :β--X₂₂ --X₂₄ where X₂₃ and X₂₄ the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ and where X₂₁ and X₂₂ are as defined above, or

α--H:β--OR₃₋₄ or α-OR₃₋₄ :β--H, where R₃₋₄ is

--H,

--CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ,

--C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ,

--CO--CF₃, --CO--CCl₃, --CO--O--R₃₋₈ is as defined above,

--SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or

--Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where

X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alky or --φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I;

(A-II) R₅ is R₅₋₃ :R₅₋₄, R₆ is R₆₋₃ :R₆₋₄, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₃ :β--R₁₀₋₄ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₃ and R₆₋₄ is --H, --F, --Cl, C₁ --C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₃ and the other of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ taken together is --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH₂ --where R₃₋₃ is as defined above;

(A-III) R₁₀ and R₅ taken together are ═CH--CH═C(OR₃₋₆)--CH═where R₃₋₆ is R₃₋₄, --H, C₁ --C₅ alkyl, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium; R₆ is α--R₆₋₅ :β--R₆₋₆ where one of R₆₋₅ and R₆₋₆ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and R₇ is α--H:β--H;

(A-IV) R₅ is α--R₅₋₇ :β--R₅₋₈, R₆ is α--R₆₋₇ :βR₆₋₈, R₇ is α--H:β--H and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₇ :β--R₁₀₋₈, where one of R₅₋₇ and R₅₋₈ is --H, R₁₀∂ and the other of R₅₋₇ and R₅₋₈ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH₂, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above, R₁₀₋₈ is --CH₃, where one of R₆₋₇ and R₆₋₈ is --H and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ --C₃ alkyl;

(A-V) R₆ is R₆₋₉ :R₆₋₁₀, R₇ is R₇₋₉ :R₇₋₁₀, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₉ :β--R₁₀₋₁₀, where one of R₆₋₉ and R₆₋₁₀ is --H, --F, --Cl, C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₇₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ form a second bond between C₆ and C₇, and the other of R₇₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ is --H, R₁₀₋₁₀ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₉ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above;

(A-VI) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁₁ ;β--R₆₋₁₂, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₁ :β--R₁₀₋₁₂ and R₇ is α--H:β--H where one of R₆₋₁₁ and R₆₋₁₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ --C₅ alkyl, R₁₀₋₁₂ is --CH₃ R₁₀₋₁₁ and R₅ taken together are --CH₂ --CH═C(R₃₋₉)--CH═, where R₃₋₉ is

--NX₂₉ X₃₀ where X₂₉ and X₃₀ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ, --CH₂ --φ and where X₂₉ and X₃₀ are taken together with the attached nitrogen atom to form a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, piperidine and morpholine or

--OR₃₋₆ where R₃₋₆ is as defined above, and

--CH(α--OR₁)--CH═C(Or₃₋₆)--CH═ where R₃₋₆ is as defined above;

(A-VII) R₅ is R₅₋₁₃ :R₅₋₁₄, R₆ is R₆₋₁₃ :R₆₋₁₄, R₇ is α--H:β--H, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₃ :β--R₁₀₋₁₄ where one of R₆₋₁₃ and R₆₋₁₄ is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with oen of R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋₁₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁₃ taken together with the other of R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋₁₄ are --CH═CH--C(R₃₋₃)--CH₂ -- where R₃₋₃ is as defined above;

(A-VIII) R₅ is R₅₋₁₅ :R₅₋₁₆, R₆ is R₆₋₁₅ :R₆₋₁₆, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₅ :β--CH₃ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁₅ and R₆₋₁₆ is --H, --F, --Cl and C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₅ and R₅₋₁₆ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₅ and the other of R₅₋₁₅ and R₅₋₁₆ taken together are --CH═CH--C(R₃₋₉)═CH-- where R₃₋₉ is as defined above;

(A-IX) R₅ is R₅₋₁₇ :R₅₋₁₈, R₆ is R₆₋₁₇ : R₆₋₁₈, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₇ :β--R₁₀₋₁₈ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁₇ and R₆₋₁₈ is --H, --F, --Cl, and C₁ -C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅∫ and R₅₋₁₈ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₇ and the other of R₅₋₁₇ and R₅₋₁₈ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ --C(R₃₋₉)═CH--, where R₃₋₉ is as defined above and where R₁₀₋₁₈ is --CH₃ ;

(A-X) R₅ is α--R₅₋₁₉ :β--R₅°, R₇ is α--H:β--H and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₉ : β--CH₃ where R₅₋₂₀ and R₁₀₋₁₉ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ --CHZ--CH₂ --, where Z and R₅₋₁₉ taken together are a carbon-carbon single bond, R₆ is α--H:β--OR₆₋₂₀ where R₆₋₂₀ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl:

(C-I) R₁₁ is R₁₁₋₁ :R₁₁₋₂, where one of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is taken together with R₉ to form a second bond between C₉ and C₁₁ and the other of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is --H;

(C-II) R₁₁ is α--H:β--O--, where β--O-- is taken together with R₉ to form an epoxide between C₉ and C₁₁ in the β-configuration;

(C-III) α--R₉ is --H, --Br, --Cl or --F and R₁₁ is ═O or α--R₁₁₋₅ :β--R₁₁₋₆, where one of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, and the other R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, or --OR₃₋₄ where is as defined above;

(C-IV) α--R₉ is --OR₉₋₁ where R₉₋₁ is --H, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are as defined above, --CO--φ, --CO--R₉₋₂ is --H, C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --OR₉₋₃ where R₉₋₃ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --CH₂ --φ, and R₁₁ is α--H:β--H;

R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is as defined above, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H;

X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ;

X₂ --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ;

X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I,

X₄ is --H and

X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I.

Disclosed is a process for the production of an α-halo silyl ether of formula (II) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where:

X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and R₁₆ are as defined for the α-silyl ether (IIA) which comprises

(1) contacting a 17-cyano-17-hydroxy steroid formula (I) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where R₁₆ is as defined above with an α--halo silyl ether adduct, X₆ --SiX₁ X₂ --CX₃ X₄ X₅ (IV) where X₆ is --Cl, --Br, imidazolyl, CF₃ --C(--O--)(═N--), CH₃ --C(--O--)(═N--), --O--SO₂ --CF₃ and --Cl0₄ and where X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄ and X₅ are as defined above.

It is preferred that the α--halo silyl ether (II) be the α-halo silyl ether (IIA).

Also disclosed is a process for the production of a α-halo silyl ehter of formula (II) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where

X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and R₁₆ are as defined for the α--silyl ether

(IIA) which comprises

(1) contacting a halogenated silated ether of formula (IIB) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where

X_(3-B) is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I,

X_(5-B) is --Cl, --Br or --I and where R₁₆, X₁, X₂ and X₄ are as defined above with iodide, bromide or chloride.

It is preferred that the α-halo silyl ether (II) be the α-halo silyl ether (IIA).

Disclosed is a process for producing a 21-halo corticoid of formula (III) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where:

X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I;

X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I;

R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is

--H,

--CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ,

--C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ,

--CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ,

--SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or

--Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₂ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₄ is --H and X₃ and X₅ are as defined above, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H; which comprises

(1) contacting an α-halo silyl ether of formula (II) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where:

X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and R₁₆ are as defined above for the α-halo silyl ether (IIA); with at least one equivalent of a non-nucleophilic base and

(2) contacting the reaction mixture of step (1) with protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent.

It is preferred that the 21-halo corticoid (III) be the 21-halo corticoid (IIIA) where

(A-I) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁ :β--R₆₋₂, R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₋₁ :β-R₁₀₋₂ and R₇ is

α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₂ and R₆₋₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, R₁₀₋₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is ═O,

--X₂₁ --CH₂ CH₂ --X₂₂ -- where X₂₁ and X₂₂ are the same or different and are --O--or --S--,

α--X₂₁ --X₂₃ :β--X₂₂ -X₂₄ where X₂₃ and X₂₄ the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ and where X₂₁ and X₂₂ are as defined above, or

α--H:β--OR₃₋₄ or α--OR₃₋₄ :β--H, where R₃₋₄ is --H,

--CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ,

--C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ,

--CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ,

--SiX₂₂ X₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or

--Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₂ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I;

(A-II) R₅ is R₅₋₃ :R₅₋₄, R₆ is R₆₋₃ :R₆₋₄, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₃ :β--R₁₀₋₄ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₃ and R₆₋₄ is --H, --F, --Cl, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₃ and the other of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ taken together is --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH₂ -- where R₃₋₃ is as defined above:

(A-III) R₁₀ and R₅ taken together are ═CH--CH═C(OR₃₋₆)--CH═ where R₃₋₆ is R₃₋₄, --H, C₁ -C₅ alkyl; R₆ is α--R₆₋₅ :β--R₆₋₆ where one of R₆₋₅ and R₆₋₆ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and R₇ is α--H:β--H;

(A-IV) R₅ is α--R₅₋₇ :β--R₅₋₈, R₆ is α--R₆₋₇ :β--R₆₋₈, R₇ is α--H:β--H and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₇ :β-R₁₀₋₈, where one of R₅₋₇ and R₅₋₈ is --H, R₁₀₋₇ and the other of R₅₋₇ and R₅₋₈ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH₂, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above, R₁₀₋₈ is --CH₃, where one of R₆₋₇ and R₆₋₈ is --H and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl;

(A-V) R₆ is R₆₋₉ :R₆₋₁₀, R₇ is R₇₋₉ R₇₋₁₀, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₉ :β--R₁₀₋₁₀, where one of R₆₋₉ and R₆₋₁₀ is --H, --F, --Cl, C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₇₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ forms a second bond between C₆ and C₇, and the other of R₇₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ is --H, R₁₀₋₁₀ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₉ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above;

(A-VI) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁₁ ; β--R₆₋₁₂, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₁ :β--R₁₀₋₁₂ and R₇ is α--H:β--H where one of R₆₋₁₁ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₅ alkyl, R₁₀₋₁₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁₁ and R₅ taken together are --CH₂ --CH═C(R₃₋₉)--CH═, where R₃₋₉ is --OR₃₋₆ where R₃₋₆ is as defined above, and

--CH(α--OR₁)--CH═C(OR₃₋₆)--CH═ where R₃₋₆ is as defined above;

(A-VII) R₅ is R₅₋₁₃ :R₅₋₁₄, R₆ is R₆₋₁₃ :R₆₋₁₄, R₇ is α--H:β--H, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₃ :β--R₁₀₋₁₄ where one of R₆₋₁₃ and R₆₋₁₄ is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋₁₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁₃ taken together with the other of R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋₁₄ are --CH═CH--C(R₃₋₃)--CH₂ -- where R₃₋₃ is as defined above:

(A-VIII) R₅ R₅₋₁₅ :R₅₋₁₆, R₆ is R₆₋₁₅ : R₆₋₁₆, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₅ :β--CH₃ and R₇ is α-13 H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁₅ and R₆₋₁₆ is --H, --F, --Cl and C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₅ and R₅₋₁₆ form s a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₅ and the other of R₅₋₁₅ and R₅₋₁₆ taken together are --CH═CH--C(R₃₋₉)═CH-- where R₃₋₉ is as defined above;

(A-IX) R₅ is R₅₋₁₇ :R₅₋₁₈, R₆ is R₆₋₁₇ :R₆₋₁₈, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₇ :β--R₁₀₋₁₈ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁₇ and R₆₋₁₈ is --H, --F, --Cl, and C₁ -C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₇ and R₅₋₁₈ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₇ and the other of R₅₋₁₇ and R₅₋₁₈ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ --C(R₃₋₉)═CH--, where R₃₋₉ is as defined above and where R₁₀₋₁₈ is --CH₃ ;

(A-X) R₅ is α--R₅₋₁₉ :β--R₅₋₂₀, R₇ is α--H:β--H and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₉ : β-CH₃ where R₅₋₂₀ and R₁₀₋₁₉ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ --CHZ--CH₂ --, where Z and R₅₋₁₉ taken together are a carbon-carbon single bond, R₆ is α--H:β--OR₆₋₂₀ where R₆₋₂₀ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl;

(C-I) R₁₁ is R₁₁₋₁ :R₁₁₋₂, where one of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is taken together with R₉ to form a second bond between C₉ and C₁₁ and the other of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is --H;

(C-II) R₁₁ is α--H:β--O--, where β--O--is taken together with R₉ to form an epoxide between C₉ and C₁₁ in the β-configuration;

(C-III) α--R₉ is --H, --Br, --Cl or --F and R₁₁ is ═O or α--R₁₁₋₅ ; β--R₁₁₋₆, where one of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, or --OR₃₋₄ where is as defined above;

(C-IV) α--R₉ is --OR₉₋₁ where R₉₋₁ is --H, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are as defined above, --CO--φ, --CO--R₉₋₂ where R₉₋₂ is --H, C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --OR₉₋₃ where R₉₋₃ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --CH₂ --φ, and R₁₁ is α--H;β--H.

Further disclosed is a process for the production of a progresterone of formula (V) where

R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R_(16-1:)β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is

--H,

--CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ,

--C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ,

--CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ,

--SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or

--Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃ (X₄)(X₅) where

X₁ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₂ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl or --Br, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl or --Br, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H, which comprises:

(1) contacting an α-halo silyl ether of formula (II) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where

X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and R₁₆ are as defined above the for the α-halo sily ether (IIA); with an effective amount of a Type B reducing agent in the presence of at least one equivalent of a proton source and

(2) contacting the mixture of step (1) with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent.

It is preferred that the progesterone (V) be the progesterone (VA) where

(A-I) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁ :βR₆₋₂, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁ :β--R₁₀₋₂ and R₇ is

α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁ and R₆₋₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, R₁₀₋₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is ═O,

--X₂₁ --CH₂ C₂ --X₂₂ -- where X₂₁ is --O-- and X₂₂ is --O-- or --S--,

α--X₂₁ --X₂₃ :β--X₂₂ --X₂₄ where X₂₃ and X₂₄ the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ and where X₂₁ and X₂₂ are as defined above, or α--H:β--OR₃₋₄ or α--OR₃₋₀₄ :β--H, where R₃₋₄ is

--H,

--CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -c₇ alkyl or --φ,

--C--φ₃, --CH₂ φ,

--CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ,

--SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or

--Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₂ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl or --Br, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl or --Br;

(A-II) R₅ is R₅₋₃ :R₅₋₄, R₆ is R₆₋₃ :R₆₋₄, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₃ :βR₁₀₋₄ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₃ and R₆₋₄ is --H, --F, --C;, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₃ and the other of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ taken together is --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH₂ -- where R₃₋₃ is as defined above;

(A-III) R₁₀ and R₅ taken together are ═CH--CH═C(OR₃₋₆)--CH═where R₃₋₆ is R₃₋₄, --H, C₁ -C₅ alkyl; R₆ is α--R₆₋₅ :β--R₆₋₆ where one of R₆₋₅ and R₆₋₆ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and R₇ is α--H:β--H;

(A-IV) R₅ is α--R₅₋₇ :β--R₅₋₈, R₆ is α--R₆₋₇ :β--R₆₋₈, R₇ is α--H: β--H and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₇ :β--R₁₀₋₈, where one of R₅₋₇ and R₅₋₈ is --H, R₁₀₋₇ and the other of R₅₋₇ and R₅₋₈ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH₂, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above, R₁₀₋₈ is --CH₃, where one of R₆₋₇ and R₆₋₈ is --H and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl;

(A-V) R₆ is R₆₋₉ :R₆₋₁₀ R₇ is R₇₋₉ R₇₋₁₀, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₉ :β--R₁₀₋₁₀, where one of R₆₋₉ and R₆₋₁₀ is --H, --F, --Cl, C₁ -c₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₇₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ forms a second bodn between C₆ and C₇, and the other of R₇₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ is --H, R₁₀₋₁₀ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₉ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above:

(A-VI) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁₁ ;β--R₆₋₁₂, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₁ :βR₁₀₋₁₂ and R₇ is α--H:β--H were one of R₆₋₁₁ and R₆₋₁₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₅ alkyl, R₁₀₋₁₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁₁ and R₅ taken together are --CH₂ CH═(R₃₋₉)--CH═, where R₃₋₉ is --Or₃₋₆ where R₃₋₆ is as defined above, and

--CH(α--OR₁)--CH═C(OR₃₋₆)--CH═where R₃₋₆ is as defined above;

(A-VII) R₅ is R₅₋₁₃ :R₅₋₁₄, R₆ is R₆₋₁₃ :R₆₋₁₄, R₇ is α--H:β--H, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₃ :β--R₁₀₋₁₄ where one of R₆₋₁₃ and R₆₋₁₄ is --H, --F, --Cl and C₁ --C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋ form a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁₃ taken together with the other R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋₁₄ are --CH═CH-- C(R₃₋₃)--CH₂ -- where R₃₋₃ is as defined above;

(A-VIII) R₅ is R₅₋₁₅ :R₅₋₁₆, R₆ is R₆₋₁₅ :R₆₋₁₆, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₅ :β--CH₃ and R₇ is α--H:βH, where one of R₆₋₁₅ and R₆₋₁₆ is --H, --F, --Cl and C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₅ and R₅₋₁₆ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₅ and the other of R₅₋₁₅ and R₅₋₁₆ taken together are --CH═CH--C(R₃₋₉)═CH-- where R₃₋₉ is as defined above;

(A-IX) R₅ is R₅₋₁₇ :R₅₋₁₈, R₆ is R₆₋₁₇ :R₆₋₁₈, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₇ :β-R₁₀₋₁₈ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁₇ and R₆₋₁₈ is --H, --F, --Cl, and C₁ -C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₇ and R₅₋₁₈ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₇ and the other of R₅₋₁₇ and R₅₋₁₈ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ --C(R₃₋₉)═CH--, where R₃₋₉ is as defined above and where R₁₀₋₁₈ is --CH₃ ;

(A-X) R₅ is α--R₅₋₁₉ :β--R₅₋₂₀, R₇ is α--H:β--H and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₉ :β--CH₃ where R₅₋₂₀ and R₁₀₋₁₉ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ --CHZ--CH₂ --, where Z and R₅₋₁₉ taken together are a carbon-carbon single bond, R₆ is α--OR₆₋₂₀ where R₆₋₂₀ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl;

(C-I) R₁₁ is R₁₁₋₁ :R₁₁₋₂, where one of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is taken together with R₉ to form a second bond between C₉ and C₁₁ and the other of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is --H,

(C-II) R₁₁ is α--H:β--O--, where β--O-- is taken together with R₉ to form an epoxide between C₉ and C₁₁ in the β-configuration;

(C-III) α--R₉ is --H, -Br, --Cl, or --F and R₁₁ is ═O or α--R₁₁₋₅ :β--R₁₁₋₆, where one of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, or --OR₃₋₄ where is as defined above;

(C-IV) α--R₉ is --OR₉₋₁ is --H, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are as defined above, --CO--φ, --CO--R₉₋₂ where R₉₋₂ is --H, C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --OR₉₋₃ where R₉₋₃ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --CH₂ --φ, and R₁₁ is α--H:β--H.

Additionally disclosed is a process for the production of a 17-hydroxyprogesterone of formula (VI) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where

Y is --H, --Cl, -Br and --I;

R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is

--H,

--CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or -φ,

--C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ,

--CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, -φ or --CH₂ --φ,

--SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or -φ, or

--Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --CH₃ or -φ, X₂ is --F, --CH₃ or -φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl or -Br, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl or -Br, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H, which comprises:

(1) contacting an α-halo silyl or ether of formula (II) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where

X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and R₁₆ are as defined above for the α-halo silyl ether (IIA), with an effective amount of a Type A reducing agent,

(2) hydrolyzing the mixture of step (1) with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent.

It is preferred that the 17-hydroxyprogesterone (VI) be the 17-hydroxyprogesterone (VIA) where

(A-I) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁ :β--R₆₋₂, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁ :β--R₁₀₋₂ and R₇ is α-H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁ and R₆₋₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, R₁₀₋₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is

═O,

--X₂₁ --CH₂ CH₂ --X₂₂ -- where X₂₁ and X₂₂ are the same or different and are --O-- or --S--,

α-X₂₁ -X₂₃ β-X₂₂ -X₂₄ where X₂₃ and X₂₄ the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or -φ and where X₂₁ and X₂₂ are as defined above, or

α--H:β--OR₃₋₄ or α--OR₃₋₄ :β--H, where R₃₋₄ is

--H,

--CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or -φ,

--C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ,

--C--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, -φ or --CH₂ --φ,

--SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ or -φ, or

--SI(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --CH₃ or -φ, X₂ is --F, --CH₃ or -φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl or -Br, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl or -Br;

(A-II) R₅ is R₅₋₃ :R₅₋₄, R₆ is R₆₋₃ :R₆₋₄, R₁₀ is α-R₁₀₋₃ :β-R₁₀₋₄ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₃ and R₆₋₄ is --H, --F, --Cl, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₃ and the other of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ taken together is --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH₂ -- where R₃₋₃ is as defined above;

(A-III) R₁₀ and R₅ taken together are ═CH--CH═C(OR₃₋₆)--CH═ where R₃₋₆ is R₃₋₄, --H, C₁ -C₅ alkyl; R₆ is α--R₆₋₅ :β--R₆₋₆ where one of R₆₋₅ and R₆₋₆ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and R₇ is α--H:β--H;

(A-IV) R₅ is α--R₅₋₇ :βR₅₋₈, R₆ is α--R₆₋₇ :β--R₆₋₈, R₇ is α--H:β--H and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₇ :β--R₁₀₋₈, where one of R₅₋₇ and R₅₋₈ is --H, R₁₀₋₇ and the other of R₅₋₇ and R₅₋₈ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH₂, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above, R₁₀₋₈ is --CH₃, where one of R₆₋₇ and R₆₋₈ is --H and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl;

(A-V) R₆ is R₆₋₉ :R₆₋₁₀, R₇ is R₇₋₉ :R--₋₁₀ R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₉ :β--R₁₀₋₁₀, where one of R₆₋₉ and R₆₋₁₀ is --H, --F, --Cl, C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R--₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ forms a second bond between C₆ and C₇, and the other of R₇₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ is --H, R₁₀₋₁₀ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₉ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above;

(A-VI) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁₁ ;β--R₆₋₁₂, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₁ :βR₁₀₋₁₂ and R₇ is α--H:β--H where one of R₆₋₁₁ and R₆₋₁₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₅ alkyl, R₁₀₋₁₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁₁ and R₅ taken together are --CH₂ --CH═C(R₃₋₉)--CH═, where R₃₋₉ is --OR₃₋₆ where R₃₋₆ is as defined above, and

--CH(α--OR₁)--CH═C(OR₃₋₆)--CH═ where R₃₋₆ is as defined above;

A-VII) R₅ is R₅₋₁₃ :R₅₋₁₄, R₆ is R₆₋₁₃ :R₆₋₁₄, R₇ is α--H:β--H, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₃ :β--R₁₀₋₁₄ where one of R₆₋₁₃ and R₆₋₁₄ is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋₁₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁₃ taken together with the other of R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋₁₄ are --CH═CH-C(R₃₋₃)--CH₂ -- where R₃₋₃ is as defined above;

(A-VIII) R₅ is R₅₋₁₅ :R₅₋₁₆, R₆ is R₆₋₁₅ :R₆₋₁₆, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₅ :β--CH₃ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁₅ and R₆₋₁₆ is --H, --F, --Cl and C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₅ and R₅₋₁₆ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₅ and the other of R₅₋₁₅ and R₆≠ taken together are --CH═CH--C(R₃₋₉)═CH-- where R₃₋₉ is as defined above;

(A-IX) R₅ is R₅₋₁₇ :R₅₋₁₈, R₆ is R₆₋₁₇ :R₆₋₁₈, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₇ :β--R₁₀₋₁₈ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁₇ and R₆₋₁₈ is --H, --F, --Cl, and C₁ -C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₇ and R₅₋₁₈ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₇ and the other of R₅₋₁₇ and R₅₋₁₈ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ --C(R₃₋₉)═CH--, where R₃₋₉ is as defined above and where R₁₀₋₁₈ is --CH₃ ;

(A-X) R₅ is α--R₅₋₁₉ :β--R₅₋₂₀, R₇ is α--H:β--H and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₉ :β--CH₃ where R₅₋₂₀ and R₁₀₋₁₉ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ --CHZ--CH₂ --, where Z and R₅₋₁₉ taken together are a carbon-carbon single bond, R₆ is α--H:β--OR₆₋₂₀ where R₆₋₂₀ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl;

(C-I) R₁₁ is R₁₁₋₁ :R₁₁₋₂, where one of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is taken together with R₉ to form a second bond between C₉ and C₁₁ and the other of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is --H;

(C-II) R₁₁ is α--H:β--O--, where β--O-- is taken together with R₉ to form an epoxide between C₉ and C₁₁ in the β-configuration;

(C-III) α--R₉ is --H, -Br, --Cl or --F and R₁₁ is ═O or α--R₁₁₋₅ :β--R₁₁₋₆, where one of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, or --OR₃₋₄ where is as defined above;

(C-IV) α--R₉ is --OR₉₋₁ where R₉₋₁ is --H, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are as defined above, --CO--φ, --CO--R₉₋₂ where R₉₋₂ is --H, C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --OR₉₋₃ where R₉₋₃ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --CH₂ --φ, and R₁₁ is α--H:β--H.

Disclosed is a process for the production of a corticoid of formula (VII) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where R₁₆ is as defined for the 17-hydroxyprogesterone (VI) above, which comprises:

(1) contacting an α-halo silyl ether of formula (II) and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where

X₁ X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and R₁₆ are as defined above for the α-halo silyl ether (IIA); with an effective amount of a Type A reducing agent and

(2) contacting the mixture of step (1) with an oxidizing agent and

(3) contacting the mixture of step (2) with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent.

It is preferred that the corticoid (VII) be the corticoid (VIIA) where R₅, R₆, R₇, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁ and R₁₆ are as defined for the 17-hydroxyprogesterone (VIA).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The α-halo silyl ether (II) is prepared from the corresponding 17-cyano-17-hydroxy steroid (I) by reacting it with the appropriate α-halo silyl ether adduct (IV). It is preferred that the α-halo silyl ether (II) be the α-halo silyl ether (IIA). The 17-cyano-17-hydroxy steroids (I) are known to those skilled in the art or can be readily prepared from known 17-keto androstanes (O) by methods known to those skilled in the art, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,461, for β-cyanohydrins, and Tetrahedron Letters 24, 4559 (1983) for α-cyanohydrins. With the 17-cyano-17-hydroxy steroids (I) and the α-substituted silyl ethers (II), the cyano group at C₁₇ can be in either the α- or β-configuration; it is preferred that the cyano group at C₁₇ be in the β-configuration giving 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy steroids (I) and 17β-cyano-17α-silyl ethers (II). Therefore, when the term "17-cyano-17-hydroxy" is used in the present patent application it means and includes both C₁₇ epimers, except when referring to particular steroidal compounds. The 17α-cyano-17β-hydroxy steroids (II) and the 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy steroids (II) are both operable in all aspects of the present invention, and can be prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, PREPARATIONS 7 and 9 are applications of the method described in Tetrahedron Letters 24, 4559 (1983).

The 17-cyano-17-hydroxy steroid (I) is first slurried with a dry inorganic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include methylene chloride, THF, toluene, dichloroethane, DMF, dimethoxyethane, acetonitrile and mixtures thereof. It is preferred that the organic solvent be methylene chloride or DMF. The reaction mixture is then preferably cooled to about -10° to 0°. The 17-cyano-17-hydroxy steroid (I) is then contacted with the α-halo silyl ether adduct (IV). The α-halo silyl ether adducts (IV) are either known to those skilled in the art or can be readily prepared from known compounds by means known those skilled in the art. The α-halo silyl halides (IV), for example, can be easily prepared by halogenation of the corresponding alkyl silyl halides. Thus, chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (IV) is prepared by chlorination of trimethylchlorosilane. Likewise dichloromethyldimethylchlorosilane is prepared by dichlorination of trimethylchlorosilane and chloromethyltrichlorosilane by chlorination of methyltrichlorosilane, etc. See Tetrahedron 26, 279 (1970) and J. Am. Chem. Soc., 73, 824 (1951). It is preferred that the contacting be in the presence of an acid scavenger selected from the group consisting of alkyl lithium, calcium and sodium hydride, mesityl lithium, tert-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, n-butyllithium, lithium t-butoxide, potassium t-butoxide, sodium tertiary amylate, disodiocyanamide, dilithio N,N'-diphenylhydrazine, and metal-N(X₇)(X₈) where metal is lithium, sodium, potassium or magnesium, X₇ is C₁ -C₇ alkyl, trimethylsilyl and cyclohexyl, X₈ is X₇ and 1-(1-phenylpentyl), and the metal salts of piperidine, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 2,6-di-t-butylpiperidien, 2,6-dimethylpiperidine, ethylenediamine, trimethylethylenediamine, morpholine, imidazole, 2-aminopyridine and amines. Acid scavengers are compounds which scavenge or trap free protons in solution and thereby prevent undesirable side reactions. Amine acid scavengers are of the formula NX₁₂ X₁₃ X₁₄ where X₁₂, X₁₃ and X₁₄ the same or different and are --H, -φ, --CH₂ --φ, --CH₂ CH₂ --φ, methylphenyl, C₁ -C₉ alkyl optionally substituted with 1 or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms, the alkyl groups can be cyclized with the attached nitrogen atom and 1 or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms to form 1 through 3 rings selected from the group consisting of pyridine optionally substituted with 1 through 3 C₁ -C₄ alkyl, pollyallylamine, polyethylenimine, benzylated polyethylenimine, polyvinylpyridine, biazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, imidazole, N-methylmorpholine, N-methylpiperidine, N-methylimidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene and 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene with the proviso that not more than 2 of X₁₂, X₁₃ and X₁₄ can be --H. Preferred acid scavengers include triethylamine, tributylamine, diisopropylethylamine, trimethylamine, pyridine, imidazole, N-methylmorpholine, N-methylpiperidine, N-methylimidazole, 2-methylimidazole, most preferred are TEA and imidazole. The acid scavenger should be added in an amount from about 1 to about 5 equivalents; preferably about 1.3 equivalents if TEA is used. It is preferred that the contacting take place in the presence of a silylation catalyst. Suitable silylation catalysts include pyridine substituted in the 4-position with with --NX₁₆ X₁₇ where X₁₆ and X₁₇ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl and where the alkyl groups can optionally be taken together with the attached nitrogen atom and 1 or more nitrogen or oxygen atoms to form a heterocyclic ring, pyridine-N-oxide, benzimidazole, substituted imidazoles where the substituent is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or -φ, preferred is 4-dimethylaminopyridine or imidazole. The silylation catalyst should be added in an amount of about 0.5 to 10 mole %; preferably about 2 mole %. With regard to the α-halo silyl ether adduct (IV) at least 1 equivalent, preferably about 1.1 to about 1.5 equivalents, more preferably about 1.2 equivalents should be used. The reaction is monitored by TLC, HPLC, etc and is usually complete within 2 hr (if a catalyst is used) depending on the temperature. For example, with chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (IV) using TEA as the acid scavenger and 4-dimethylaminopyridine as the silylation catalyst the reaction is complete in less than 1 hr at -5°. The reaction can be quenched by adding the reaction mixture to a quenching agent which permits easy isolation of the α-halo silyl ether (II). In some cases one can simply filter off the acid scavenger-acid complex. One can often carry on the reaction of the α-halo silyl ether (II) directly without its isolation, in this case quenching of the reaction mixture is not necessary, see EXAMPLE 74. Examples of quenching agents include, for example, phosphate buffer, ammonium chloride buffer and dilute acetic acid. The pH of the quench mixture is controlled to avoid hydrolyzing acid or base sensitive functions or the silyl ether itself. Generally, phosphate buffer (pH 4.5) is preferred, a potassium or sodium dihydrogen phosphatre solution. The α-halo silyl ether (II) is obtained by extraction in the usual manner.

In situations where either or both of X₁ and X₂ is an ether, --O--X₁₋₁ and --OX₂₋₁ respectively, or --F, the starting α-halo silyl ether adduct (IV) preferably has X₁ and/or X₂ as --Cl or -Br which can be selectively replaced to give the desired product; see EXAMPLES 48-53. The α-halo silyl ether adduct (IV) is reacted first with a 17-cyano-17-hydroxy steroid (I), then with an alcohol. This is the preferred order of displacement, although any order will be operable and deemed equivalent. For X₁ or X₂ to be --F, the α-halo substituted adduct (IV) must be treated with a suitable fluoride source which includes potassium, sodium or tetrabutylammonium fluoride. Although these α-halo silyl ethers (IV) are operable in all aspects of the present invention, they are particularly suited for the direct preparation of the corticoids (VII) using a Type A reducing agent followed by an oxidizing agent.

The α-halo silyl ethers (II) are useful in the production of progesterones (V), hydroxyprogesterones (VI), corticoids (VII) and 21-halo corticoids (III) which are intermediates in the production of corticoids (VII) as is explained below. Each of the α-halo silyl ethers (II) disclosed here can be transformed to the corresponding progesterone (V), hydroxyprogesterone (VI), corticoid (VII) and 21-halo corticoid (III) as disclosed and exemplified below.

It is preferred that the α-halo silyl ether (II) be the α-halo silyl ether (IIA). It is preferred that the cyano group at C₁₇ be in the β-configuration. It is preferred that the α-halo silyl ether (II) be a Δ⁴ -3-keto steroid or a Δ¹,4 -3-keto steroid or protected forms (A-VI, A-VIII and A-IX) thereof. It is preferred that the C-ring contain (1) Δ⁹(11) functionality, (2) have α--R₉ be --H or --F when R₁₁ is ═O or α--R₁₁₋₅ :β--R₁₁₋₆, where one of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H or --OH, and (3) α--R₉ is --H, --F, --Cl or -Br when R₁₁ is α--R₁₁₋₅ :β--R₁₁₋₆, where one of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, --OH, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅). It is preferred that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H and the other is --H or --CH₃. It is preferred that X₁ l is --CH₃ or --OX₁₋₁ and X₂ is --CH₃ or --OX₂₋₁, X₃ is --H, --Cl, -Br and X₅ is --Cl or -Br. It is more preferred that X₁ and X₂ are --CH₃, X₃ is --H and X₅ is --Cl. Preferred α-halo silyl ethers (II) the compounds of EXAMPLES 1-3, 7-13, 16, 19-21, 25, 28-39, 40A, 41-48, 54, 57-59, 67, 70-72 and 82. More preferred are the α-halo silyl ethers (II) of EXAMPLES 1, 3, 7, 33, 36, 43 and 45.

The α-halo silyl ethers (II) can be prepared from other α-halo silyl ethers (II) by a displacement reaction using iodide, bromide or chloride. The halo group α- to silicon (X₃ or X₅) is easy to exchange for a different halide by a displacement reaction. For example, with the α-halo silyl ether (II) when X₁ and X₂ are --CH₃, X₃ and X₄ are --H and X₅ is -Br, it is possible to convert X₅ into --Cl or -I by contacting the β-halo silyl ether (II) with chloride or iodide ion. This is the preferred method of preparing the α-halo silyl ether (II) where X₅ is -I, see EXAMPLES 58 and 67. This also means it is important in the operation of this invention that the -60 -halo silyl ether (II) not be allowed to contact undesired halide ions for longer than is necessary. For example, if in the execution of EXAMPLE 2, 13 or 57, the reaction mixture is left in contact longer than necessary to complete silylation, significant amounts of the chloromethyldimethyl silyl ether (II) will form, by exchange of the -Br with chloride ions in the reaction from the TEA hydrochloride formed.

The α-halo silyl ether (II) is transformed to the 21-halo corticoid (III) by contacting the α-halo silyl ether (II) with at least one equivalent of a non-nucleophilic base followed by contacting (quenching) with a protodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent. A non-nucleophilic base, is a base which is sufficiently strong to deprotinate X₄. Examples of non-nucleophilic bases include mesityl lithium, tert-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, n-butyllithium, lithium t-butoxide, potassium t-butoxide, sodium tertiary amylate, disodiocyanamide, dilithio N,N'-diphenylhydrazine, and metal-N(X₇)(X₈) where metal is lithium, sodium, potassium or magnesium, X₇ is C₁ -C₇ alkyl, trimethylsilyl and cyclohexyl, X₈ is X₇ and 1-(1-phenylpentyl), and the metal salts of piperidine, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 2,6-di-t-butylpiperidine, 2,6-dimethylpiperidine, ethylenediamine, trimethylethylenediamine, morpholine, imidazole, and 2-aminopyridine. Preferred non-nucleophilic bases are mesityl lithium, tert-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, n-butyllithium, disodiocyanamide, dilithio N,N'-diphenylhydrazine, and metal-N-(X₇)(X₈) where metal is lithium, sodium, potassium or magnesium, X₇ is C₁ -C₇ alkyl, trimethylsilyl and cyclohexyl, X₈ is X₇ and 1-(1-phenylpentyl), and the metal salts of piperidien, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 2,6-di-t-butylpiperidine, 2,6-dimethylpiperidine, ethylenediamine, trimethylethylenediamine, morpholine, imidazole and 2-aminopyridine, more preferred is LDA. When X₃ and X₅ are --Cl or -Br it is preferred the non-mucleophilic base is one where X₇ and X₈ are trimethylsilyl. About 1 to about 4 equivalents of the non-nucelophilic base are used. At least 1 equivalent is required, preferably about 1.5 equivalents (in the absence of reactive functional groups in the molecule) should be used. If the α-halo silyl ether (II) has a hydroxy group at R₁₁ and/or an unprotected A-ring (3-ketone) an additional equivalent for each reactive functionality is necessary as is known to those skilled in the art. For example, with a 11β-hydroxy-Δ⁴ -3-keto α-halo silyl ether (II) (EXAMPLE 26), at least 3 equivalents are needed, one for the 11β-hydroxyl functionality, one for the A-ring and one for the reaction. When the reaction is complete as monitored ty TLC or HPLC it is quenched a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent. A protiodesilylation reagent is selected from the group consisting of

(1) water or an alcohol and an adic where the alcohol is of the formula

R₅₀ --OH where R₅₀ is selected from the group consisting of C₁ -C₇ alkyl, -φ, --CH₂ --φ, --CH₂ CH₂ --OCH₃,

HO--R₅₁ --OH where R₅₁ is C₂ -C₇ alkyl,

propylene glycol,

ethylene glycol,

glycerol; where the acid is selected from the group consisting of HF, HCl, HBr, HI, H₃ PO₄, H₂ SO₄, perchloric, fluoroboric, NaHSO₄, NaH₂ PO₄, polymeric sulfonic acid cation exchange resins, HOOC--(CH₂)_(n) --COOH where n is 0 through 12, tartaric acid, citric acid, B(X₁₉)₃, Al(X₁₉)₄, Sn(X₁₉)₄, Sn(X₁₉)₂ and Ti(X₁₉)₄ where X₁₉ is --F, --Cl, -Br and -I, R₅₂ --COOH and R₅₂ --SO₃ --H where R₅₂ is --H, C₁ -C₁₂ alkyl, -φ, methylphenyl, --CF₃, --CCl₃, hydrochloride and hydrobromide salts of amines of the formula NX₁₂ X₁₃ X₁₄ where X₁₂, X₁₃ and X₁₄ the same or different and are --H, -φ, --CH₂ CH₂ --φ, methylphenyl, C₁ -C₉ alkyl optionally substituted with 1 or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms, the alkyl groups can be cyclized with the attached nitrogen atom and 1 or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms to from 1 through 3 rings with the proviso that at least 1 of X₁₂, X₁₃ and X₁₄ is --H; or

(2) a fluoride salt where the fluoride salt is selected from the group consisting of BF₃, CsF, KF, NaF, LiF, LiBF₄ and n-(butyl)₄ NF. The nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent is selected from the group consisting of

(1) water and an acid as is defined above or

(2) a ketone of the formula R₅₃ --CO--R₅₄ where R₅₃ and R₅₄ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₇ alkyl, the alkyl groups can be taken together with the attached carbonyl group to form a saturated ring of from 5 to 7 members, an aldehyde of the formula R₅₅ --CHO where R₅₅ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or -φ, or pyruvic acid. The simplist, easiest, cheapest and the preferred procedure is to use just one reagent which falls into both categories. It is preferred that the reagent is water and an acid. It is preferred to use at least one equivalent of water and almost any acid is operable. It is preferred that the acid be selected from the group consisting of HF, HCl, HBr, HI, H₃ PO₄, H₂ SO₄, perchloric, fluoroboric, formic, acetic, propionic and oxalic. It is more preferred that the acid be HF, HCl, Hbr, H₂ SO₄, methanesulfonic and acetic. When x₅ is -Br it is preferred that the acid be HBr. In the case of a 3-keto steroid it is preferred to conduct the first step using besides the additional non-nucleophilic base 0.5 to 1.0 equivalents of a compound selected from the group consisting of Cl--Si--(CH₃)₃, (F₃ C--CO)₂ --O--, X₂₀ --Si--X₉ X₁₀ X₁₁ where X₉, X₁₀ and X₁₁ are C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ, --Cl, --OX₁₅ where X₁₈ is C₁₋₅ alkyl or --φ and where X₂₀ is --Cl or --Br, (X₁₈ --CO)₂ --O-- where X₁₈ is --φ or t-butyl, X₁₈ --CO--Cl. Preferred is chlorotrimethylsilane. The chlorotrimethylsilane can be added at any time during the addition of the non-nucleophilic base, but preferably before the non-nucleophilic base is added. The non-nucleophilic base can be added to the α-halo silyl ether (II), or the α-halo silyl ether (II) can be added to the non-nucleophilic base. It is preferred to conduct the second step in the presence of an alcohol. The alcohol is not necessary but often increases the rate of hydrolysis. Example of alcohols include R₅₀ --OH where R₅₀ is selected from the group consisting of C₁ -C₇ alkyl,--φ, --CH₂ --φ, --CH₂ CH₂ --OCH₃, HO--R₅₁ OH where R₅₁ is C₂ -C₇ alkyl, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and glycerol. It is preferred that the alcohol be ethylene glycol, methanol or isopropanol. When the α-halo silyl ether (II) has a Δ¹,4 -3-keto A-ring, it is preferred that reaction sequence be as follows (1) contacting the α-halo silyl ether (II) with at least 1 equivalent of LiHMDS, (2) contacting the reaction mixture with at least 2 equivalents of a non-nucleophilic base and (3) contacting the reaction mixture of step (2) with at least one equivalent of water and an acid. It is more preferred that the reaction sequence be as follows (1) contacting the α-halo silyl ether (II) with at least 1 equivalent of LiHMDS, (2) trapping the C₃ --enolate as an ether, (3) contacting the reaction mixture with at least 2 equivalents of a non-nucleophilic base and (4) contacting the reaction mixture of step (3) with at least 1 equivalent of water and an acid. The contacting of the first step should be performed at <80°, preferably from about 25° to about -80°. When the base is LDA the contacting should generally be at <-15° dependint on the α-halo silyl ether (II). Suitable solvents for the reaction include THF, dimethoxyethane, toluene, methyl t-butyl ether, cyclohexane and mixtures thereof. The solvent is preferably THF but in the situation where the LDA is in hexane, the preferred solvent is a THF/hexane mixture. Preferred 21-halo corticoids (III) are the compounds of EXAMPLES 5, 6, 17, 22, 26, 40B, 55, 60, 63, 75-77, 79, 80 and 83. More preferred are the 21-halo corticoids (III) of EXAMPLES 5, 17, 22, 75-77 and 83.

The 21-halo corticoids (III) are well known to those skilled in the art and are readily transformed to pharmaceutically useful corticoids by methods known to those skilled in the art and are themselves pharmaceutically useful see U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,921. For example, 21-chloro-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione is known, see U.S. Pat No. 4,357,279 (Example 5) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,702 (Example 5). 21-Bromo-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20dione is known, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,055 (Example 59). Thus displacement with acylate gives 21-acyl corticoids, for example displacement with acetate give 21-acetyl-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione, useful in the preparation of hydrocortisone 21-acetate. Reduction of the 21-substituent with, for example, zinc and acetic acid give 17-hydroxyprogesterones. When R₆₁ is --CH₃ the 17-hydroxyprogesterone is useful in the preparation of medroxyprogesterone acetate.

The α-halo silyl ether (II) can also be transformed to the corresponding 17-hydroxyprogesterone (VI) by contacting it with (1) an effective amount of a Type A reducing agent, (2) contacting the mixture of step (1) with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent. It is more preferred that the reaction sequence be contacting the α-halo silyl ether (II) with (1) two or more equivalents of a Type A reducing agent, (2) contacting the mixture of step (1) with an aprotic quenching agent and (3) contacting with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent. A type A reducing agent is a reagent which when reacted with an α-halo silyl ether (II) in an effective amount followed by reaction with an aprotic quenching agent, and a protiodesilation regent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent produces a 17-hydroxyprogesterone (VI). Examples of Type A reducing agents include lithium and sodium complex with the following: anthracene, naphthacene, benzanthracene, 20-methylcholanthrene, nitrobenzene, metadinitrobenzene. 1,3,5-trintrobenzene, 2,3,7-trinitrofluorenone, benzophenone, naphthalene; lithium complex with the following: biphenyl, di-tert-butylbiphenyl, dimethylaminoaphthalene, trimesityl borane, di-terbutylnaphthalene; lithium, sodium, potassium or calcium dissolved with ammonia, hexamethyl phosphoric triamide, 18-crown-6 or tris(3,6-dioxaheptyl)amine; magnesium, lithium; or n-butyllithium when X₅ is -I. It is preferred that the Type A reducing agent be lithium or sodium naphthalenide, lithium and sodium anthracene, lithium biphenyl, lithium di-tert-butylbiphenyl, lithium dimethylaminoaphthalene, lithium trimesityl borane, lithium di-tert-butylnaphthalene, lithium, sodium, potassium or calcium dissolved with ammonia, hexamethyl phosphoric trimide, 18-crown-6 or tris(3,6-dioxaheptyl)amine; magnesium; n-butyllithium when X₅ is --I. It is more preferred the Type A reducing agent be lithium biphenyl, sodium or lithium naphthalide or lithium 4,4'-di-tert-butylbiphenyl. It is preferred that about 2.2 to about 5 equivalents, more preferably about 2.5 to about 3 equivalents of the Type A reducing agent be used. Equivalents refers to the number of equivalents of electrons donated by the reducing agent. Any remaining Type A reducing agent is then destroyed with an aprotic quenching agent such as φ--CH═CX₃₇ --X₃₈ where X₃₇ and X₃₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₃ alkyl or --φ; X₃₁ X₃₂ X₃₃ C--CX₃₄ X₃₅ X₃₆ where X₃₁, X₃₂, X₃₃, X₃₄, X₃₅ and X₃₆ are the same or different and are --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, C₁ -C₇ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ halo alkyl where the halo atoms are --F, --Cl, --Br and --I; X₃₁ X₃₂ X₃₃ C--CH═CH--CX₃₄ X₃₅ X₃₆ ; X₃₁ X₃₂ C═CX₃₄ --CX₃₅ ═CX₃₅ X₃₆ and benzoate. Preferred is dichloroethane, dibromoethane, and benzoate, more preferred is 1,2-dichloroethane. The purpose of the aprotic quenching agent is to remove excess Type A reducing agent from the reaction mixture before protons are added in the course of further processing. If protons are added prior to removal of the reducing agent, most of the reducing agents will produce significant (those included as Type B reducing agents) amounts of the corresponding progesterone (V) as a byproduct. Ideally, to produce only the 17-hydroxyprogesterone (VI), either a Type A-non-Type B reducing agent (such as magnesium) can be used, or the amount of Type A reducing agent can be limited to be just sufficient to consume the starting α-halo silyl ether (II). In practice, it is often easier and preferred to use an excess of the Type A reducing agent, then destroy the excess Type A reducing agent with the aprotic quenching agent. Suitable solvents include THF, dimethoxyethane alone or mixed with non-reacting solvents such as hexanes, heptanes, octanes, toluene, methyl-tert-butylether and mixtures thereof. Preferred is THF. The contacting is performed at about -80° to about 20°, preferably about -20°, to about 0°, more preferably about -10° depending on the particular reducing agent and particular α-substituted silyl ether (II). As is known to those skilled in the art for a particular situation the reducing agent and silyl ether (II) are contacted at a low temperature and the mixture is warmed until reaction occurs as measured by TLC. In that way one obtains the desired reaction using the minimum amount of heat. The reaction is complete (contacting time) in less than one minute or over twenty hours depending on the particular silyl ether (II), the solvent, the temperature, etc. as is known to those skilled in the art. Usually the reaction is complete in a short time, for example in about 1 to about 5 minutes. The aprotic quenching agent is added until the reducing agent disappears. The reaction mixture is then quenched and hydrolyzed in the same manner and same way using the same reagents as described above for the 21-halo corticoids (III).

The α-halo silyl ether (II) can also be transformed to the 21-halo corticoid (III) by a similar procedure if both X₃ and X₅ are not H, see EXAMPLE 78.

The α-halo silyl ether (II) can be transformed to the corresponding progesterone (V) by contacting it with with an effective amount of a Type B reducing agent in the presence of one or more equivalents of protone followed by reaction with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent. An effective amount of a Type B reducing agent requires at least 4 equivalents, preferrably about 4.5 to about 6 equivalents are used. Example of Type B reducing agents include lithium and sodium complex of the following anthracene, naphthacene, benzanthracene, 20-methylcholanthrene, nitrobenzene, meta-dinitrobenzene, 1,3,5-triatrobenzene, 2,3,7-trinitrofluorenone, benzophenone, naphthalene; lithium complex of the following biphenyl, di-tert-butylbiphenyl, dimethylamino-naphthalene, trimesityl borane, di-tertbutylnaphthalene; lithium, sodium, potassium or calcium dissolved with ammonia, hexamethyl phosphoric triamide, 18-crown-6 or tris(3,6-dioxaheptyl)amine. Preferred are lithium or sodium napthalenide, lithium and sodium anthracene, lithium biphenyl, lithium di-tert-butylbiphenyl, lithium dimethylaminoaphthalene, lithium trimesityl borane, lithium di-tert-butylnaphthalene, lithium, sodium, potassium or calcium dissolved with ammonia, hexamethyl phosphoric trimide, 18-crown-6 or tris(3,6-dioxaheptyl)amine, more preferred are lithium biphenyl, sodium or lithium naphthalide or lithium 4,4'-di-tert-butylbiphenyl. Alternatively, treatment of the silyl ether (II) with a Type A reducing agent followed by sufficient amount of Type B reducing agent is operable. It is preferred that the reducing agent used be all of the Type B. In order to accomplish the reduction to progesterones (V) the contacting must take place in the presence of one or more equivalents of protons. Suitable proton sources include water, R₅₀ --OH where R₅₀ is selected from the group consisting of C₁ -C₇ alkyl, --φ, --CH₂ --φ, --CH₂ CH₂ --OCH₃, HO--R₅₁ --OH where R₅₁ is C₂ -C₇ alkyl, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, acids selected from the group consisting of HF, HCl, HBr, HI, H₃ PO₄, H₂ SO₄, perchloric, fluoroboric, NaHSO₄, NaH₂ PO₄, polymeric sulfonic acid cation exchange resins, HOOC--(CH₂)_(n) --COOH where n is 0 through 12, tartaric acid, citric acid, B(X₁₉)₃, Al(X₁₉)₄, Sn(X₁₉)₄, Sn(X₁₉)₂ and Ti(X₁₉)₄ where X₁₉ is --F, --Cl, --Br and --I, R₅₂ --COOH and R₅₂ --SO₃ --H where R₅₂ is --H, C₁ -C₁ 2 alkyl, --φ, methylphenyl, --CF₃ ; hydrochloride and hydrobromide salts of amines of the formula NX₁₂ X₁₃ X₁₄ where X₁₂, X₁₃ and X₁₄ the same or different and are --H, --φ, --CH₂ --φ, --CH₂ CH₂ --φ, methylphenyl, C₁ -C₉ alkyl optionally substituted with 1 or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms, the alkyl groups can be cyclized with the attached nitrogen atom and 1 or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms to form 1 through 3 rings with the proviso that at least 1 of X₁₂, and X₁₃ and X₁₄ is --H and the steroid portion of the α-halo silyl ether (II) when it contains a free --OH group. Preferred protron sources are water and an acid. The α-halo silyl ether (II) itself can serve as the proton source, if it contains unprotected hydroxyl groups. The proton source may be added either with the α-halo silyl ether (II), or following the contacting between the α-halo silyl ether (II) and the reducing agent. It is preferred to add the proton source following the contacting between the α-halo silyl ether (II) and the reducing agent. Suitable solvents include THF, dimethoxyethane and non-reactive solvents such as hexanes, heptanes, octanes, toluene, methyl-tert-butyl ether and mixtures thereof. Preferred is THF. The contacting is performed at about -80° to about 20°, preferably about -30° to about -10°, more preferably about -20°. The reaction is complete in less than one minute or over twenty hours depending on the particular silyl ether (II), the solvent, the temperature, etc as is known to those skilled in the art. Usually the reaction is complete in a short time about 1 to about 5 minutes. The reaction mixture is quenched and hydrolyzed in the same manner and the same way using the same reagents as described above for the 21-halo corticoids (III). For convenience, it is preferred that the proton source and the a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent be the same, for example a mixture of aqueous hydrochloric or sulfuric acid in methanol or ethylene glycol.

Oxidative cleavage reactions of silicon-carbon bonds are known to those skilled in the art, see J. Org. Chem., 48, 2120 (1983), Tetrahedron Letters 25, 4245 (1984), J. Organometallic Chem., 269 (1984), Tetrahedron 39, 983 (1983) and Tetrahedron Letters 27, 75 (1986).

The α-halo silyl ether of formula II can be transformed directly to a corticoid (VII) by (1) contacting it with an effective amount of a Type A reducing agent, (2) contacting the mixture of step (1) with oxidizing agent and (3) contacting the mixture of step (2) with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent. As exemplified in EXAMPLE 62, oxidative cleavage of a silicon-carbon bond following reaction of the α-halo silyl ether (II) with two or more equivalents of a Type A reducing agent and (optionally) an aprotic quenching agent gives corticoids (VII) directly. Suitable Type A reducing agents and aprotic quenching agents are set forth supra. Suitable oxidative agents include hydrogen peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, peracetic acid, perbenzoic acid, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, perphthalic acid, trifluoroperacetic acid, cumyl hydroperoxide, trimethylamine-N-oxide, acetone hydroperoxide, hexafluoacetone hydroperoxide, N-phenylsulfonyl-3-phenyloxaziridine and m-chloroperbenzoic acid, preferred are hydrogen peroxide, m-chloroperbenzoic acid and trimethylamine-N-oxide. Salts of the oxidizing agents are equivalent to the free oxidizing agents. The reaction mixture is quenched and hydrolyzed in the same manner and the same way using the same reagents as described above for the 21-halo corticoids (III).

The difference between the process to the progesterones (V) and 17-hydroxyprogesterones (VI) from the α-halo silyl ether (II) is, with regard to the progesterones (V), at least 4 equivalents of the reducing agent are required and at least 1 equivalent of a proton source must be present during the contacting of step (1). With the process to the 17-hydroxyprogesterones (VI) only 2 equivalents of the Type A reducing agent are required and an aprotic quenching agent may be used. For instance, with the process to the 17-hydroxyprogesterones (VI), 4 equivalents of the Type A reducing agent can be used (preferably not), if no proton source is present and the quenching agent is an aprotic quenching agent.

It is important that the α-halo silyl ether (II) have any reducible functional groups present protected, if it is desired that they not be reduced. Reducible functional groups include enones, ketones and halides, depending on the reducing agent. Enones are protected as the ketal or dienol ether or dienolate, as is known to those skilled in the art, if it is desired not to have such functional groups reduced by the reducing agent.

For the production of the 21-halo corticoids (III), progesterones (V) and 17-hydroxyprogesterones (VI) it is important that the reactions and quenches be conducted in an inert atmosphere, preferably of nitrogen or argon, most preferably of argon.

The compounds of the present invention (I-III, V and VI) have an asymmetric center at C₁₇. Because of the planar nature of the steroid ring system the two substituents at C₁₇ have a relationship to each other of above and below the plane of the steroid ring system which is denoted as α (below) and β (above) configuration by those skilled in the art. While the chemical formulas set forth in CHARTS A through D (and the claims) show the normal configuration for the formulas set forth, those formulas are meant to disclose and include the epi configuration as well. For example, with the cyanohydrin (I), the normal configuration is that set forth in formula (I), 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy. However, this formula by definition is meant to and does, include the epi configuration for the cyanohydrin (I) which is 17α-cyano-17β-hydroxy. Likewise for the steroids (II, III and VI).

Although the 17β-hydroxy steroids are not generally utilized as pharmaceutical agents and thus fewer of them are known and described than the 17α-hydroxy steroids, they can be useful intermediates in the production of pharmaceuticals. EXAMPLES 40 describes the preparation of a 21-chloro-17β-hydroxypregnane and its conversion to a useful melangestrol acetate precursor (U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,001). EXAMPLES 54-56 describe the prepartion of a precursor for 17-epi hydrocortisone, useful as an analytical standard for determining the level of this impurity in hydrocortisone.

DEFINITIONS AND CONVENTIONS

The definitions and explanations below are for the terms as used throughout this entire document including both the specification and the claims.

I. CONVENTIONS FOR FORMULAS AND DEFINITIONS OF VARIABLES

The chemical formulas representing various compounds or molecular fragments in the specification and claims may contain variable substituents in addition to expressly defined structural features. These variable substituents are identified by a letter or a letter followed by a numerical subscript, for example, "Z" or R_(i) " where "i" is an integer. These variable substituents are either monovalent or bivalent, that is represent a group attached to the formula by one or two chemical bonds. For example, a group Z would represent a bivalent variable if attached to the formula CH₃ --C(═Z)H. Groups R_(i) and R_(j) would represent monovalent variable substituents if attached to the formula CH₃ --CH₂ --C(R_(i))(R_(j))H₂. When chemical formulas are drawn in a linear fashion, such as those above, variable substituents contained in parentheses are bonded to the atom immediately to the left of the variable substituent enclosed in parenthesis. When two or more consecutive variable substituents are enclosed in parentheses, each of the consecutive variable substituents is bonded to the immediately preceding atom to the left which is not enclosed in parentheses, Thus, in the formula above, both R_(i) and R_(j) are bonded to the preceding carbon atom. Also, any molecule with an established system of carbon atom numbering, such as steroids, these carbon atoms are designated as C_(i), where "i" is the integer corresponding to the carbon atom number. For example, C₆ represents the 6 position of carbon atom number in the steroid nucleus as traditionally designated by those skilled in the art of steroid chemistry. Likewise the term "R₆ " represents a variable substituent (either monovalent or bivalent) at the C₆ position.

Chemical formulas or portions thereof drawn in a linear fashion represent atoms in a linear chain. The symbol "--" in general represents a bond between two atoms in the chain. Thus CH₃ --O--CH₂ --C (R_(i))H--CH₃ represents a 2-substituted-1-methoxypropane compound. In a similar fashion, the symbol "═" represents a double bond, e.g., CH₂ ═C(R_(i))--O--CH₃, and the symbol ".tbd." represents a triple bond, e.g., HC.tbd.C--CH(R_(i))--CH₂ --CH₃. Carbonyl groups are represented in either one of two ways: --CO-- or --C(═O)--, with the former being preferred for simplicity.

Chemical formulas of cyclic (ring) compounds or molecular fragments can be represented in a linear fashion. Thus, the compound 4-chloro-2-methylpyridine can be represented in linear fashion by N*═C(CH₃)--CH═CCl--CH═C*H with the convention that the atoms marked with an asterisk (*) are bonded to each other resulting in the formation of a ring. Likewise, the cyclic molecular fragment, 4-(ethyl)-1-piperazinyl can be represented by --N*--(CH₂)₂ --N(C₂ H₅)--CH₂ --C*H₂.

A rigid cyclic (ring) structure for any compounds herein defines an orientation with respect to the plane of the ring for substituents attached to each carbon atom of the rigid cyclic compound. For saturated compounds which have two substituents attached to a carbon atom which is part of a cyclic system, --C(X₁)(X₂)-- the two substituents may be in either an axial or equatorial position relative to the ring and may change between axial/equatorial. However, the position of the two substituents realative to the ring and each other remains fixed. While either substituents at times may lie in the plane of the ring (equatorial) rather than above or below the plane (axial), one substituent is always above the other. In formulas depicting such compounds, a substituent (X₁) which is "below" another substituent (X₂) will be identified as being in the alpha (α) configuration and is identified by a broken, dashed or dotted line attachment to the carbon atom, i.e., by the symbol "- - - " or ". . . ". The corresponding substituent attached "above" (X₂) the other (X₁) is identified as being in the beta (β) configuration and is indicated by an unbroken line attachment to the carbon atom.

When a variable substituent is bivalent, the valences may be taken together or separately or both in the definition of the variable. For example, a variable R_(i) attached to a carbon atom as--C (═R₁)-- might be bivalent and be defined as oxo or keto (thus forming a carbonyl group (--CO--) or as two separately attached monovalent variable substituents α--R_(i-j) and β--R_(i-k). When a bivalent variable, R_(i), is defined to consist of two monovalent variable substituents, the convention used to define the bivalent variable is of the form "αR_(i-j) :βR_(i-k) " or some variant thereof. In such a case both α--R_(i-j) and β--R_(i-k) are attached to the carbon atom to yield --C(α--R_(i-j)) (β--R_(i-k))--. For example, when the bivalent variable R₆, --C(═R₆)--, (at C₆) is defined to consist of two monovalent variable substituents, two monovalent variable substituents are α--R₆₋₁ :β₆₋₂, . . . α--R₆₋₉ :β--R₆₋₁₀, yielding --C(α--R₆₋₂)--, . . . .--C(α--R₆₋₉)(β--R₆₋₁₀) --, etc. Likewise, for the bivalent variable R₁₁₋₁, --C(═R₁₁)--, (at C₁₁) two monovalent variable substituents are α--R₁₁₋₁ :β--R₁₁₋₂. For a ring substituent for which separate α and β orientations do not exist (e.g. due to the presence of a carbon carbon double bond in the ring), and for a substituent bonded to a carbon atom which is not part of a ring the above convention is still used, but the α and β designations are omitted.

Just as a bivalent variable may be defined as two separate monovalent variable substituents, two separate monovalent variable substituents may be defined to be taken together to form a bivalent variable. For example, in the formula --C₁ (R_(i))H--C₂ (R_(j))H-- (C₁ and C₂ define arbitrarily a first and second carbon atom, respectively) R_(i) and R_(j) may be defined to be taken together to form (1) a second bond between C₁ and C₂ or (2) a bivalent group such as oxa (--O--) and the formula thereby describes an epoxide. When R_(i) and R_(j) are taken together to form a more complex entity, such as the group --X--Y--, then the orientation of the entity is such that C₁ in the above formula is bonded to X and C₂ is bonded to Y. Thus, by convention the designation ". . . R_(i) and R_(j) are taken together to form --CH₂ --CH₂ --O--CO--. . . " means a lactone in which the carbonyl is bonded to C₂. However, when designated ". . . R_(j) R_(i) are taken together to form --CH₂ --CH₂ O--CO--the convention means a lactone in which the carbonyl is bonded to C₁.

The carbon atom content of variable substituents is indicated in one of two ways. The first method uses a prefix to the entire name of the variable such as "C₁ -C₄ ", where both "1" and "4" are integers representing the minimum and maximum number of carbon atoms in the variable. The prefix is separated from the variable by a space. For example, "C₁ -C₄ alkyl" represents alkyl of 1 through 4 carbon atoms, (including isomeric forms thereof unless an express indication to the contrary is given). Whenever this single prefix is given, the prefix indicates the entire carbon atom content of the variable being defined. Thus C₂ -C₄ alkoxycarbonyl describes a group Ch₃ -(CH₂)_(n) --O--CO-- where n is zero, one or 2. By the second method the carbon atom content of only each portion of the definition is indicated separately by enclosing the "Ci-Cj" designation in parentheses and placing it immediately (no intervening space) before the portion of the definition being defined. By this optional convention (C₁ -C₃)alkoxycarbonyl has the same meaning as C₂ -C₄ alkoxycarbonyl because the "C₁ -C₃ " refers only to the carbon atom content of the alkoxy group. Similarly while both C₂ -C₆ alkoxyalkyl and (C₁ -C₃)alkoxy(C₁ -C₃)alkyl define alkoxyalkyl groups containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, the two definitions differ since the former definition allows either the alkoxy or alkyl portion alone to contain 4 or 5 carbon atoms while the latter definition limits either of these groups to 3 carbon atoms.

When the claims contain a fairly complex (cyclic) substituent, at the end of the phrase naming/designating that particular substituent will be a notation in (parentheses) which will correspond to the same name/designation in one of the CHARTS which will also set forth the chemical structural formula of that particular substituent.

II. DEFINITIONS

All temperatures are in degrees Centigrade.

TLC refers to thin-layer chromatography.

HPLC refers to high pressure liquid chromatography; which was performed on a C-18 250 cm column, at 20°-25° with 1 ml/min, 30 min, eluting with water/acetonitrile/methanol (40/40/20) using a gradient to acetonitrile/methanol (70/30).

LDA refers to lithium diisopropylamide; [for metal-N(X₇)(X₈) metal is lithium, X₇ and X₈ are isopropyl].

LiHMDS refers to lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide

THF refers to tetrahydrofuran.

DMF refers to dimethylformamide.

TEA refers to triethylamine.

NMR refers to nuclear (proton) magnetic resonance spectroscopy, chemical shifts are reported in ppm (δ) downfield from tetramethylsilane.

TMS refers to trimethylsilyl.

φ refers to phenyl (C₆ H₅).

When solvent pairs are used, the ratios of solvents used are volume/volume (v/v).

Medroxyprogesterone acetate refers to 17α-hydroxy-6α-methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 17-acetate.

THF refers to tetrahydrofuran.

p-TSA refers to p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate.

Saline refers to an aqueous saturated sodium chloride solution.

Ether refers to diethyl ether.

EXAMPLES

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, practice the present invention to its fullest extent. The following detailed examples describe how to prepare the various compounds and/or perform the various processes of the invention and are to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitations of the preceding disclosure in any way whatsoever. Those skilled in the art will promptly recognize appropriate variations from the procedures both as to reactants and as to reaction conditions and techniques.

PREPARATION 1 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (I)

Following the general procedure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,748, Example 214, and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one (U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,748, Example 2), the title compound is obtained.

PREPARATION 2 17β-Cyano-3,11β,17α-trihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-ethyl ether (I)

17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (1.5793 g), toluene (4.7 ml), ethanol (1.6 ml), triethylorthoformate (0.44 eq), pyridine hydrochloride (0.6 eq) and formic acid (0.11 eq) are combined and heated to 55° and stirred. Additional triethylorthoformate is added. Additional ethanol is added to solubilize everything. When the reaction is complete as determined by TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane, 11) the mixture is distilled under reduced pressure adding TEA and hexane. After sitting solids precipitate. The mixture is filtered and the solids are washed. The filtrate is concentrated to an oil (after more solids are filtered off) to give the title compound.

PREPARATION 3 17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α-methylandrost-4-en-3-one (I)

Following the general procedure of PREPARATION 1 and making non-critical variations but starting with 11β-hydroxy-6-αmethylandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (0), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 215.3°-217.5°; NMR (CD₂ Cl₂ /CD₃ OD) 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 4.5 and 5.7 δ.

PREPARATION 4 17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4-diene-3-one (I)

Glacial acetic acid (0.050 ml) is added to 11β-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (0, 236.4 mg), potassium cyanide (97.47 mg) in methanol (0.396 ml) and water (0.264 ml) and the mixture stirred at 20°-25°. Initially, a single product forms by TLC which is gradually replaced by a second product over the course of the reaction. When this conversion is complete as measured by TLC, glacial acetic acid (0.0606 ml) is added. The reactio mixture is dissolved in a minimal amount of methanol, water and methylene chloride. The mixture is concentrated under reduced presure until crystallization of the product appears complete. The slurry is filtered, and the crystals washed with several portions (1 ml) of methanol/water (11). The crystals are triturated with ethyl acetate acidified with acetic acid, filtered and dried under reduced pressure at 45° overnight to give the title compound, m.p. 257.7°-258.9°; NMR (DMSO-d₆) 1.0, 1.1, 1.4, 4.3, 4.8, 5.8, 6.1, 6.2 and 7.3 δ.

PREPARATION 5 17β-Cyano-6α-fluoro-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (I)

Glacial acetic acid (0.61 ml) is added to α-fluoro-3-hydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-methyl ether (9, 1.647 g), potassium cyanide (1.126 g) slurried in THF (1.4 ml) and methanol (4.1 ml) under nitrogen at 42°. After 15 min water (1.4 ml) is added dropwise over 1 minute maintaining the temperature between 29° and 35°. After 45 min, seed crystals of the title compound are added. Initially, a single product forms by TLC which is gradually replaced by a second product over the course of the reaction. When this conversion is complete, glacial acetic acid (0.38 ml) is added and the mixture is cooled to 20°-25°. The resultant crystals are collected by vacuum filtration, washed with methanol/water (11, 2×10 ml), and dried at 50° under vacuum for 6 hrs to give the title compound, m.p. 167°-172°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.9, 1.1, 3.6, 5.5 and 5.6 δ.

PREPARATION 6 17β-Cyano-6°-fluoro-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-diene-3-one (I)

To 17β-cyano-6-fluoro-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (PREPARATION 5, 196.8 mg), glacial acetia acid (1.00 ml), water (0.10 ml), then p-TSA monohydrate (23.3 mg) is added. The mixture is stirred at 20°-25° for 17 min then poured into a mixture of aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (20 ml) and methylene chloride (20 ml). The phases are separated and the aqueous layer washed with methylene chloride (5 ml). The combined organic layers are washed with water (10 ml) and dried on anhydrous sodium sulphate. The mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure to an oil. Column chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane (30/70) gives the title compound, m.p. 222° (dec); NMR (CDCl₃ /CD₃ OD) 0.8, 1.3, 5.7 and 6.0 δ.

PREPARATION 7 17α-Cyano-17β-hydroxy-16-methyleneandrost-4-en-3-one (I)

Trimethylsilylcyanide (4.7 ml) and 18-crown-6/potassium cyanide complex (0.211 g) are added to a solution of 3-hydroxy-16-methyleneandrosta-3,5-dien-17-one 3-methyl ether (O, U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,821 Example 8, 10 g) in methylene chloride (50 ml). The mixture is stirred for 1 hr. Methanol (50 ml) and hydrofluoric acid (48%, 10 ml) are added and the mixture is stirred for 2.5 hr then partitioned between methylene chloride and saline. The aqueous layer is extracted with methylene chloride. The organic extracts are washed with saline, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to a crystalline product which is recrystallized from isopropanol to give the title compound, NMR (CD₂ Cl₂) 5.30, 5.51 and 5.69 δ.

PREPARATION 8 17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6-methyleneandrost-4-en-3-one(I)

Following the general procedure of PREPARATION 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 11β-hydroxy-6-methylenandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (O), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 245°-255°; NMR (CDCl₃ /DMSO-d₆) 1.1, 1.2, 4.3, 4.5, 5.0, 5.7, and 6.3δ.

PREPARATION 9 17α-Cyano-17δ-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one (I)

Following the general procedure of PREPARATION 7 and making non-critical variations but starting with 3-hydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-methyl ether (O, U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,991), the title compound is obtained.

PREPARATION 10 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-diene 3-ethylene ketal (I)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 59 and making non-critical variations but starting with androsta-5,9(11)-dien-17-one 3-ethylene ketal (O), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 1 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one, (I, U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,461 Example 2, 75.03 g) is mixed with methylene chloride (150 ml). Atmospherically, 75 ml of the methylene chloride is distilled off and the procedure is repeated. The mixture is then cooled to -4°. A mixture of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.6358 g) in methylene chloride (10 ml) is added to the steroid mixture. This is followed by addition of triethylamine (44 ml) over 3 in maintaining the temperature<5°. Chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (38.8 ml) is added from an addition funnel maintaining the temperature <0°. The mixture is stirred until the reaction is complete as measured by TLC. The reaction mixture is then added via a cannula to a mixture of aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (243 ml) and methylene chloride (75 ml) which had been previously cooled to 2° with vigorous stirring. The reaction mixture flask is rinsed with methylene chloride, stirring is stopped and the layers separated. The aqueous layer is washed with methylene chloride (3×50 ml) and the organic phases are combined. The organic phase is backwashed with water (300 ml). Each aqueous backwash is in turn backwashed in order with a mixture of iso-octanes (75 ml). The iso-octane layer is combined with the previous organic layers. The mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure while adding iso-octane. Distillation is stopped when the vapor temperature is about 38°. The slurry is cooled and filtered. The solids are dried under reduced pressure at about 50° to give the title compound, m.p. 138°-141°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 3.9 and 5.7 δ.

EXAMPLE 2 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 1 and making non-critical variations but using bromomethyldimethylchlorosilane, the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 3 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,6(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Triethylamine (70.82 g) is added dropwise over a period of 5 minutes to a suspension of 17β-cyuano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (PREPARATION 1, 168.38 g), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (3.1562 g) and methylene chloride (860 ml) at 1° under nitrogen maintaining the temperature at about 1°. Chloromethyldimethylsilyl chloride (91.78 g) is added dropwise over 11 min with the temperature rising to 10°. Methylene chloride (10 ml) is used as a rinse. The reaction mixture is poured into phosphate buffer (1.5M potassium dihydrogen phosphate/sodium hydroxide to pH 7, 860 ml) containing ice (about 700 g). The mixture is stirred vigorously for about 10 min with the pH remaining at 7.5. The mixture is extracted with methylene chloride (3×500 ml). An intermediate layer is formed. It is filtered. The resulting solid is washed with water, then with methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride layers are dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the filtrate concentrated to about 800 ml. This filtrate is warmed under reduced pressure to remove the methylene chloride. As methylene chloride is removed, heptane (650 ml) is added to maintain a reasonably constant volume. Crystals begin to form after about 500 ml of heptane has been added. After all the heptane is added the mixture is warmed to 30° for 10 min to remove the remaining methylene chloride. The mixture is cooled to 0° and held for 15 min. The resulting solid is filtered and washed with heptane (3×100 ml), dried at 20°-25° to constant weight to give the title compound. The filtrate is concentrated to a mushy solid residue using heat (40°) and reduced pressure overnight. The mixture is triturated with heptane and filtered, the solid is washed with heptane (2×20 ml) to obtain additional title compound, m.p. 145°-153°, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.2, 2.9, 3.6, 5.2 and 5.3 δ.

EXAMPLE 4 21-Chloro-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III)

17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 3, 10.8 g) and dry THF (34.8 ml), are cooled to -40°. LDA [1.94 molar bis(tetrahydrofuran complex) on a mixture of iso-octanes, 19.3 ml] is added dropwise with stirring over 6 minutes maintaining the temperature at <-18°. After 1/2 hr the reaction is quenched by adding the reaction mixture to a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid (25 ml) and ethylene glycol (4.2 ml) at -30°. The reaction mixture is stirred at about -30° to about 25° for about 3.5 hr, iso-octane (70 ml) is added over 5 minutes followed by the addition of water (225 ml) over about 10 minutes. The reaction mixture is filtered, washed with water followed by iso-octane and the dried overnight at about 45° to give the title compound.

EXAMPLE 5 21-Chloro-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III)

17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 1, 10.4541 g) and dry THF (35 ml) are cooled to -39°. Chlorotrimethylsilane (2.7 ml) is added followed by a nitrogen flush. LDA [1.94 molar bis(tetrahydrofuran complex) in a mixture of iso-octanes, 32.2 ml] is added dropwise with stirring maintaining the temperature <-30°. The reaction mixture is then cooled to -57° and stirred for an additional hour. LDA (1.8 ml) is then added permitting the temperature to rise to -26°. The reaction mixture is then added to concentrated hydrochloric acid (30 ml) and ethylene glycol (4.2 ml). THF/iso-octanes (1/1, 20 ml) is washed into the mixture and the temperature is permitted to rise to 8°. When the reaction is complete, as monitored by HPLC, iso-octanes (70 ml) is added dropwise over about 10 mi followed by addition of water (225 ml). The reaction mixture is filtered, washed with water/iso-octanes dried under reduced pressure with heat to give the title compound, NMR (CDCl₃ -CD₃ OD) 0.5, 1.2, 4.4, 5.4 and 5.6 δ.

EXAMPLE 6 21-Bromo-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedures of Examples 4 and 5, and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 2), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 7 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one, the title compound is obtained, m.p. 170.5°-172°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.5, 1.3, 4.4, 5.5, 6.0, 6.2 and 7.1 δ.

EXAMPLE 8 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 2 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,461, Example 1) and bromomethyldimethyl-chlorosilane, the title compound is obtained, m.p. 133°-136°, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.2, 2.5, and 5.7 δ.

EXAMPLE 9 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-54-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal (U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,461, Example 3), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 135°-136°.

EXAMPLE 10 17β-Cyano-3-ethoxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene-17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-3-ethoxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene, the title compound is obtained. m.p. 111°-118°.

EXAMPLE 11 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-3-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,461, Example 1), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 143°-146°.

EXAMPLE 12 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-3-hydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether, the title compound is obtained, m.p. 117°-120°.

EXAMPLE 13 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-3-hydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether and bromomethyldimethylchlorosilane, the title compound is obtained, m.p. 122°-130°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 2.1, 3.5, 5.1 and 5.2 δ.

EXAMPLE 14 21-Chloro and 21-Bromo Corticoids (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 4, 5 and 6 and making non-critical variations but starting with the α-halo silyl ethers (II) of EXAMPLES 7 through 13, the corresponding 21-chloro and 21-bromo corticoids (III) are obtained.

EXAMPLE 15 17β-Cyano-17α-hdyroxy-16β-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one (I)

16β-Methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,17-dione (U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,958, 12.0 g) and potassium cyanide (7.909 g) are suspended in methanol (24 ml). The resulting slurry is then treated with glacial acetic acid (3.5 ml) and allowed to stir in a tightly stoppered flask at 20°-25° for 72 hr. TLC (acetone/methylene chloride, 4/96). The reaction mixture is then cooled to 0° and quenched with glacial acetic acid (4.2 ml). The solids are then collected by filtration, triturated with methanol/water (1/1, 3×10 ml) and dried by heating (60°) under reduced pressure (60 mm) to obtain the title compound, m.p. 241°-247.5°; NMR (CD₂ Cl₂) 1.32, 1.42, 5.58, 6.08, 6.30 and 7.25 δ.

EXAMPLE 16 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxy-16β-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedrue of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-16β-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one (I, EXAMPLE 15) the title compound is obtained, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.30, 0.30, 0.91, 1.27, 1.38, 2.81, 5.55, 6.02, 6.24 and 7.17 δ.

EXAMPLE 17 21-Chloro-17α-hydroxy-16β-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione (III)

17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxy-16β-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 16, 0.213 g) is dissolved in THF (3.0 ml). The resulting mixture is cooled to -30°, then treated with a mixture of lithium hexamethyldisilazide (0.71 mmoles) in THF (2.0 ml). The resulting mixture is stirred at -30° for 5 min, then treated with a mixture of trimethylchlorosilane (45 mg) in THF (1.0 ml). The resulting mixture is stirred at -30° for 10 min, then treated with a mixture of LDA bis(tetrahydrofuran)complex in a mixture of iso-octanes (2.02M, 0.95 ml). The resulting mixture is stirred at -20° for 50 min, at which time all of the starting material had been consumed according to TLC (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane, 30/70). The reaction mixture is added to a polyethylene bottle containing aqueous hydrofluoric acid (48%, 1.6 ml). The mixture is stirred under argon at 20°-25° for 23 hr, then poured into water (100 ml), extracted with methylene chloride (6×20 ml). The combined extracts are dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated to give the title compound, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.85, 1.11, 1.42, 4.42, 4.69, 5.55, 6.07, 6.27, and 7.25 δ.

EXAMPLE 18 17α,21-Dihydroxy-16β-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (VII)

21-Chloro-17α-hydroxy-16β-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione, (III, EXAMPLE 17, 0.151 g), potassium acetate (0.099 g), tributylmethylammonium chloride (0.014 g), acetic acid (0.010 g) and water are dissolved in methylene chloride (1.0 ml) and acetone (2.5 ml). The mixture is stirred at 55° for 17 hr at which time the conversion of starting material into product is complete (TLC-silica gel, acetone/methylene chloride, 10/90). The reaction mixture is poured in aqueous hydrochloric acid (5%, 50 ml) and extracted with methylene chloride (3×15 ml). The combined extracts are dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated to give the title compound, NMR (CD₂ Cl₂) 0.74, 1.09, 1.38, 2.11, 4.88, 4.97, 5.54, 5.98, 6.20 and 7.23 δ.

EXAMPLE 19 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,5,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl; ether (II)

A mixture of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide is added to 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 7, 2,987 g) in dry THF (15 ml) stirring at -50° over a period of 4 minutes. The mixture is warmed to 15° and stirred for 36 min. The mixture is quenched by adding to ammonium chloride buffer and pentane. Extraction from the buffer mixture gives the title compound, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.4, 2.8, 5.5, 5.8, 5.9 and 7.3 δ.

EXAMPLE 20 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-triene 3-trimethylsilyloxy ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Chlorotrimethylsilane (0.73 ml) is added to 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 1, 3,0061 g) in dry THF (7.0 ml) stirred at -20°. This is followed by dropwise addition of bis(trimethylsilyl)amine (0.3 ml), then LDA (1.99M bis(tetrahydrofuran) in a mixture of isooctane, 3.6 ml. The mixture is quenched by adding to ammonium chloride buffer (2M) and pentane. Extraction from the buffer mixture gives the title compound, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.1, 2.9, 4.8, 5.3 and 5.4 δ.

EXAMPLE 21 17β-Cyano-3-ethoxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-3-hydroxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-ethyl ether (I) and chloroethyldimethylchlorosilane, the title compound is obtained, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.0, 1.3, 2.9, 3.8 and 5.2 δ.

EXAMPLE 22 21-Chloro-17α-hydroxypregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 17 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydoxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II), EXAMPLE 7), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 205°-206°.

EXAMPLE 23 Progesterone (V)

17β-Cyano-3-ethoxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 21, 7.21 g) is dissolved in dry THF (17.5 ml). This mixture is added to a solution of lithium biphenyl (0.097 moles) in THF (0.2M) over 9 minutes at -20°. The funnel is rinces with THF (5 ml). Once the addition is complete a solution of sulfuric acid (6M, 72 ml) in methanol (36 ml) is added over a period of one minute. The -20° bath is replaces with an ice bath and the reaction is allowed to warm to 20°-25° and stirred until the reaction is complete as measured by TLC. Additional methanol is added to dissolve the solids and water (25 ml) is added. The reaction is concentrated to a low volume, filtered, washed with water until the filtrate is no longer acidic. The solids are dissolved in methylene chloride and chromatographed on a column. The column is eluted with ethyl acetate (10→30%) in methylene chloride. The appropriate fractions are pooled and concentrated to give the title compound, which is consistent with a known sample, TLC (acetone/methylene chloride, 5/95) R_(f) =0.75.

EXAMPLE 24 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (VI)

17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 12, 2.98 g) in dry THF (5 ml). This solution is then added to a solution of lithium naphthalenide (21.1 mmol, 0.5M in THF) that has been cooled to -78°. The steroid solution is added dropwise but very fast. The syringe is rinsed with THF (2.4 ml). Sufficient dichloromethane (0.25 ml) is added quickly dropwise. The total time from the begining of the addition of the silyl ether (II) to the quenching with methylene chloride is 9 min. The reaction mixture is stirred 4 min. Hydrochloric acid (21.0 ml) is added over 5 minutes; the first half is added more slowly than the last half. When the acid quench is complete, the reaction mixture is removed from the dry ice acetone bath, methanol (21 ml) is added and the reaction mixture is permitted to warm to 20°-25°. Once the reaction is complete as measured by TLC (acetone/methylene chloride: 5/95), the mixture is concentrated on a rotory evaporatory to remove the solvents, cooled, filtered, the cake is washed with water until the filtrate is no longer acidic. The solid is dried under reduced pressure for 2 hr. The solid is then slurried in a mixture of iso-octanes (20 ml) at 54°-60° for 35 min. The hot slurry is filtered, the solids are washed with hot iso-octanes (3×4 ml) and dried to give the title compound, which is consistent with a known sample, TLC (acetone/methylene chloride, 5/95) R_(f) =0.25; HPLC retention time=10.63 min.

EXAMPLE 25 17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,590, Example 25, 6.28 g) and imidazole (1.82 g) are suspended in methylene chloride (20 ml) and cooled to 0°. Chloro(chloromethyl)dimethylsilane is added dropwise and the resulting mixture is stirred for 15 min at 0°. The reaction is quenched by adding saturated sodium bicarbonate (1 ml), resulting in two liquid phases. The phases are separated. The aqueous phases is extracted with methylene chloride (7 ml), the organic phases are combined and distilled atmospherically. After most of the solvent is removed, additional methanol is added (10 ml) and the distillation is continued. Again, after most of the solvent is removed methanol (10 ml) and water (10 ml) are added. The mixture is cooled to 20°-25° and filtered. The solids are washed with cold (0°) aqueous methanol (33% aqueous), dried at 45° under reduced pressure (27" Hg) for several hours to give the title compound, m.p. 258°-262° (dec); NMR (CDCl₃) 0.3, 1.2, 1.4, 2.8, 4.4 and 5.6 δ.

EXAMPLE 26 21-Chloro-11β,17α-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (III)

17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 25, 1.032 g) is suspended in THF (6 ml). The slurry is cooled to -45° and trimethylsilyl chloride (0.23 ml) is added. The flask is flushed with nitrogen and LDA (1.5M in chclohexane, 6 ml, 3.8 equivalents) is added dropwise to the slurry over a period of 5 min maintaining the temperature below -35°. The reaction is then permitted to warm up to -20°. After one hour at -20°, the mixture is cooled to -78° and transferred to a flask containing ethylene glycol (0.5 ml) and hydrochloric acid (12M, 6 ml) cooled to -45°. The mixture is stirred for 1 hr while warming to 20°-25°. The mixture is then distilled under reduced pressure at 20°, until 5 ml of distillate is collected. Water (5 ml) is then slowly added. The slurry is stirred at 20°-25° for 10 min, then cooled to 5° and filtered. The precipitate is washed with water (2×5 ml) and hexane ( 2×ml). The solids are dried overnight at 60° under reduced pressure to give the title compound, m.p. 217-221 (dec); NMR (CDCl₃) 0.95, 1.5, 4.4, 4.5 and 5.7 δ.

EXAMPLE 28 17β-Cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (I), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 29 17β-Cyano-3,11β,17α-trihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-ethyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

17β-Cyano-3,11β, 17α-trihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-ethyl ether (I, PREPARATION 2) is cooled in a wet ice/acetone bath. Methylene chloride (3 ml) is added followed by a solution of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.03 eq) in methylene chloride (0.5 ml). This is followed by the dropwise addition of chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (1.3 eq). The mixture is stirred at 0°. The reaction mixture is then transferred by cannula into a solution of 1.0M dipotassium phosphate in methylene chloride (50 ml/50 ml) cooled in an ice water bath. The two phases are permitted to separate. The aqueous layer is washed three times with methylene chloride. All the organic phases are combined and backwashed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, concentrated and filtered. The filtrate is column chromatographed on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane (10/90). The appropriate fractions are pooled and concentrated to give the title compound.

EXAMPLE 30 17β-Cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Glacial acetic acid (0.071 ml) is added to a mixture of 9β,11β-epoxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (0, 340.5 mg), potassium cyanide (137.6 mg) in methanol (0.43 ml), water (0.43 ml), and THF (0.14 ml). After 3 hrs at 20°-25°, glacial acetic acid (200 μl), methylene chloride (10 ml) and water (5 ml) are added. The layers are separated and the organic phase is concentrated under reduced pressure. Methylene chloride (1 ml) is added, then distilled off under reduced pressure. DMAP (8.8 mg), methylene chloride (2 ml) and TEA (0.207 ml) are added and the mixture stirred at 20°-25° for 2 hours. The mixture is cooled to <-5° C., and chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (0.180 ml) is added. After 30 min, aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (5 ml) is added and the phases separated. The aqueous layer is washed with methylene chloride (5 ml). The organic layers are combined, washed with water (10 ml) and then concentrated under reduced pressure to an oil. The oil is purified by column chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane (30/70) to give the title compound, m.p. 182°-185°; NMR (CD₂ Cl₂) 0.4, 1.1, 1.4, 2.9, 3.3, 6.1 and 6.6 δ.

EXAMPLE 31 17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one (I), the title compound is obtained, NMR (CDCl₃ /CD₃ OD) 0.3, 1.2, 1.4, 2.8, 4.4, 6.0, 6.1, 6.3 and 7.3 δ.

EXAMPLE 32 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,11-dione 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,11-dione (I), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 33 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 30 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one (I), the title compound is obtained, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.3, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 2.8, 5.5 and 5.8 δ.

EXAMPLE 34 17β-Cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrost-4-en-3-one (I), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 35 17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α-methylandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α-methylandrost-4-en-3-one (I, PREPARATION 3), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 238.3°-239.1°; NMR (CD₂ Cl₂ /CD₃ OD) 0.3, 1.0, 1.1, 1.4, 2.8, 4.4 and 5.7 δ.

EXAMPLE 36 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 30 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one (I), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 143°-154°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.3, 0.9, 1.1, 1.4, 2.8, 5.6, 6.1, 6.3 and 7.2 δ.

EXAMPLE 37 17β-Cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 30 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one (I), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 161-163; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.3, 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.8, 3.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.6 δ.

EXAMPLE 38 17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (0.092 ml) is added over a period of 1 minute to 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one (I, PREPARATION 4, 192.8 mg) and DMAP (8.8 mg) in methylene chloride (0.87 ml) and TEA (0.11 ml) and the mixture cooled to -12°. The mixture is stirred for 52 min at <-8°, then aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (3 ml) is added, followed by methylene chloride (5 ml). The layers are separated and the aqueous layer is washed twice with methylene chloride (2 ml). The organic extracts are combined and backwashed with water (5 ml), then concentrated under reduced pressure to give a solid. This solid is dissolved in a minimal amount of hot ethyl acetate then cooled to <0°. The resultant crystals are filtered, washed with hexane, and then dried in vacuo at 45° overnight to give the title compound, m.p. 250.5°-251.4°; NMR (CD₂ Cl₂ /CD₃ OD) 0.3, 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 2.9, 4.5, 6.0, 6.3, and 7.45 δ.

EXAMPLE 39 17β-Cyano-6α-fluoro-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

To 17β-cyano-6α-fluoro-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one (I, PREPARATION 6, 73.8 mg) is added methylene chloride (2.0 ml) and DMAP (4.6 mg). The mixture cooled to -10°. TEA (0.049 ml) followed by chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (0.033 ml) is added. After 5 min, TEA (0.060 ml) is added. After 40 min, aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (5 ml) followed by methylene chloride (5 ml) is added and the phases separated. The aqueous layer is washed with methylene chloride (5 ml) and the combined organic layers washed with water (10 ml). The organic layer is dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and filtered through silica gel (1 g). Concentrated hydrochloric acid (15 ml) is then added and the mixture vigorously shaken for 5 min. The layers are separated and the organic layer washed with several portions of water to pH≈6.0. the organic layer is dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and concentrated to an oil under reduced pressure. Ethyl acetate (1 ml) followed by hexane (1 ml) is added and the mixture cooled to -10° for 5 hrs. The resultant crystals are collected by filtration, washed with hexane, and dried in vacuo at 20°-25° to give the title compound, m.p. 131°-132° C.; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.4, 2.9, 5.8, and 6.2 δ.

EXAMPLE 40A 17α-Cyano-17β-hydroxy-16-methyleneandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

A slurry of 17α-cyano-17β-hydroxy-16-methyleneandrost-4-en-3-one (I, PREPARATION 7, 2.50 g) and DMAP (0.038 g) in methylene chloride (12.5 ml) is cooled to -10° to -15° while stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere. TEA (1.40 ml) and chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (1.20 ml) are added to the steroid mixture and the resulting mixture is stirred for 1 hr and then poured in to a mixture of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (1.0M, 15 ml) and methylene chloride (20 ml). The mixture is stirred vigorously at -10° to -5° for 10 min. The layers are then separated and the aqueous layer is extracted with methylene chloride. The organic extracts are washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to the crude product. The product is purified by chromatography on silica gel (230-400 mesh, 400 g) eluting with ethyl acetate/cyclohexane (20/80). The appropriate fractions are pooled and concentrated to give the title compound, NMR (CD₂ Cl₂) 0.42, 0.43, 0.79, 1.19, 2.93, 5.24, 5.40 and 5.67 δ.

EXAMPLE 40B 21-Chloro-17β-hydroxy-16-methylenepregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (III)

Trimethylsilyl chloride (0.32 ml) and LDA (4.99M, 4.4 ml) in a mixture of iso-octanes are added to a solution of 17α-cyano-17β-hydroxy-16-methyleneandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 40A, 1.0 g) in THF (10 ml). The mixture is stirred for 5 min at -71° then warmed to -20°, then cooled to -71° and stirred for 15 min more. The reaction mixture is added to a solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid (4.8 ml) and methanol (8.0 ml) stirring rapidly under a nitrogen atmosphere at -71°. After 15 min the resulting mixture is warmed to 20°-25° and partitioned between methylene chloride and water. The organic phase is washed with water and dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The concentrate is purified by chromatography on silica gel (230-400 mesh, 150 g) eluting with ethyl acetate/cyclohexane (25/75). The appropriate fractions are pooled and concentrated to give the title compound, NMR (CD₂ Cl₂) 0.88, 1.17, 3.0, 4.60, 5.16 and 5.69 δ.

EXAMPLE 40C 17β-Hydroxy-16-methylenepregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (V)

Zinc dust (0.030 mg) and glacial acetic acid (0.13 ml) is added to a solution of 21-chloro-17β-hydroxy-16-methylenepregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (III, EXAMPLE 40B, 0.050 g) in ethyl acetate (1.5 ml). The reaction system is purged with nitrogen and warmed to 45°. After stirring for 16.5 hr, THF (5 ml) is added and the mixture is filtered thru celite to remove the remaining zinc. The filtrate is then partitioned between water (5 ml) and ether (5 ml). The organic extract is washed with sodium bicarbonate (5%) and water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give the title compound, NMR (CD₂ Cl₂) 0.87, 1.17, 2.20, 3.40, 5.10 and 5.65 δ.

EXAMPLE 41 17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 11-dimethylsilyloxy ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-4-en-3-one (I, 2.68 gm) is suspended in methylene chloride (10 ml) and imidazole (1.66 gm) is added. After cooling to 0°, chloro(chloromethyl)dimethylsilane (1.29 ml) is added. After 30 min at 0°, methanol (0.07 ml) is added, and the mixture is warmed to 20°-25°. chlorotrimethylsilane (1.55 ml) is added, and after 5 hrs water (2 ml) is added. The organic phase is washed with water (2 ml), dried over anhydrous potassium carbonate, and the solvent is evaporated under vacuum to give the title compound, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.1, 0.3, 1.1, 1.3, 2.8, 4.4 and 5.6 δ.

EXAMPLE 42 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxy-6-methylenandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 30 and making non-critical variations but using 6-methylenandrosta-4,9(11)-diene 3,17-dione (O, 18792-JPP-1-A) the title compound is obtained, m.p. 123°-136°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.3, 2.8, 5.0, 5.1, 5.6, and 5.9 δ.

EXAMPLE 43 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxy-6-methylandrosta-4,6,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedures of EXAMPLE 30 and making non-critical variations but starting with 6-methylandrostra-4,6,9(11)-triene-3,17-dione (0), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 149°-159°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.3, 0.9, 1.2, 1.8, 2.8, 5.5, 5.8, and 5.9 δ.

EXAMPLE 44 17β-Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6-methylenandrost-4en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 38 and making non-critical variations but using 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6-methylenandrost-4-en-3-one (I, PREPARATION 8) the title compound is obtained, m.p. 204°-206°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.3, 1.2, 1.3, 2.8, 4.5, 5.0, and 5.8 δ.

EXAMPLE 45 17β-Cyano-6-fluoro-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

TEA (0.080 ml) is added to 17β-cyano-6-fluoro-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (I, PREPARATION 5, 78.5 mg) and DMAP (2.9 mg) in methylene chloride (0.50 ml), and the mixture is cooled to -12°. Chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (0.033 ml) is added and the mixture stirred at <-10° for 25 min. Chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (0.033 ml) then TEA (0.035 ml) is added. After 18 min, aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (4 ml) is added followed by methylene chloride (5 ml). The layers are separated and the aqueous layer washed with methylene chloride (2 ml). The combined organic layers are dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and filtered. The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure to an oil. Column chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane (5/95) gives the title compound; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.2, 2.9, 3.6, 5.5, and 5.6 δ.

EXAMPLE 46 17β- Cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 11-trimethylsilyloxy ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 41 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one (I), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 47 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(dichloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 70 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one (I), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 199°-201.5°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 1.4, 5.3, 5.6, 6.0, 6.2, 6.3 and 7.2 δ.

EXAMPLE 48 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)methoxymethylsilyl ether [mixture of diastereomers at the silicon center] (II)

DMAP (11.3 mg), methylene chloride (1.4 ml) and TEA (0.152 ml) are added to 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4-en-3-one (I, 284.6 mg) and the mixture cooled to <-5°. Chloromethylmethyldiclorosilane (0.128 ml) is added and the mixture allowed to warm to 20°-25° for 15 min then cooled -10°. TEA (0.16 ml) followed by methanol (0.044 ml) is added and the mixture allowed to warm to 20°-25°. After 50 min, methanol (0.10 ml), methylene chloride (10 ml) and aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (5 ml) is added and the layers separated. The organic layer is washed with water (5 ml), then concentrated under reduced pressure. The resultant oil is dissolved in 2 ml ethyl acetate, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and concentrated to an oil under reduced pressure. Crystallization at -10° from a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane gives crystals which were filtered, then dried under high vacuum to give the title compound, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.2, 2.8, 3.6, and 5.7 δ.

EXAMPLE 49 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)methoxymethylsilyl ether [mixture of diastereomers at the silicon center] (II)

Following the general procedures of EXAMPLE 48 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (I), the title compound is obtained; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.1, 2.8, 3.6, 5.1, 5.2, and 5.5 δ.

EXAMPLE 50 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)isopropoxymethylsilyl ether [mixture of diastereomers at the silicon center] (II)

DMAP (0.3716 g), methylene chloride (25 ml) and TEA (2.70 ml) are added to 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (I) and the mixture cooled to <-5°. Chloromethylmethyldichlorosilane (2.20 ml) is added and the mixture allowed to warm to 20°-25°. After 25 min, the mixture is cooled to -5° and TEA (2.70 ml) then 2-propanol (3.60 ml) is added. After 15 min, aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (10 ml) is added and the layers separated. The aqueous layer is washed with methylene chloride (5 ml). The combined organic layers are washed with water (5 ml), dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and concentrated to an oil. Column chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane (2/98) gives the title compound; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.1, 1.2, 2.8, 3.6, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, and 5.5 δ.

EXAMPLE 51 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3 -one 17-(chloromethyl)diisopropoxysilyl ether (II)

DMAP (12.3 mg) and methylene chloride (1.0 ml) is added to 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (I, 266.2 mg) and the mixture is cooled to <=5°. TEA (0.150 ml) followed by chloromethyltrichlorosilane (0.114 ml) is added and the mixture stirred for 25 min. TEA (0.290 ml) is added followed by 2-propanol (0.149 ml). After 5 min, the mixture is warmed to 20°-25°. After 45 min, the reaction mixture is poured into pentane (30 ml) and aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (7ml). The reaction flask is rinsed with pentane (10 ml). The layers are separated and the aqueous layer washed with pentane (5 ml). The organic layers are combined, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Column chromatography of the concentrate and eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane (10/90) gives the title compound; NMR (CDCl₃) 1.0, 1.2, 1.3, 2.8, 4.3, and 5.7 δ.

EXAMPLE 52 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)diisopropoxysilyl ether (II)

Pentane (3 ml), water (1 ml) and glacial acetic acid (35 ml) is added to 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)diisopropoxysilyl ether (I, EXAMPLE 53, 244 mg). After stirring vigorously for 2 min, the reaction mixture is poured into ethyl acetate (30 ml) and aqueous potassium phosphate monobasic (10 ml). The layers are separated and the organic layer dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.9, 1.2, 1.3, 2.7, 4.3, 5.5, and 5.7 δ.

EXAMPLE 53 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)diisopropoxysilyl ether (II)

4-Dimethylaminopyridine (0.7013 g) and methylene chloride (50 ml) followed by TEA (32.0 ml) are added to 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (I, 18.58 g). When the mixture becomes homogeneous, the mixture is cooled to -10° and chloromethyltrichlorosilane (7.9 ml) is added. The mixture is stirred for 3 hr maintaining the temperature below -5°. The mixture is cooled to -78° and isopropanol (23 ml) is added at such a rate as to maintain the temperature below -10°. The mixture is then stirred at 20°-25° for 2 hr, then poured into pentane (400 ml) over aqueous potassium phosphate mobasic (150 ml). The phases are separated and the aqueous phase is washed with pentane (200 ml). The combined organic phases are washed with water (100 ml) and concentrated to approximately 400 ml under reduced pressure, then cooled to -20° for 3 days. The resultant crystals are removed by vacuum filtration and washed with pentane (100 ml). The mother liquor is dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered, and concentrated to a oil. This is placed on a silica gel (50 g) column and eluted with ethyl acetate/hexane (2/98, 100 ml). The first 240 ml are discarded and the remaining eluent is concentrated to a clear oil, under reduced pressure. This oil is placed under high vacuum at 20°-25° for 2 days, then allowed to crystallize at -20 for 5 days. The crystals are washed with pentane (2×20 ml) at -20° and dried at 20°-25° under high vacuum for 1 day to give the title compound, m.p. 79°-81°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.9, 1.1, 1.2, 2.7, 3.6, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, and 5.5 δ.

EXAMPLE 54 17α-Cyano-17β-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 40A and making non-critical variations but starting with 17α-cyano-17β-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one (I, PREPARATION 9), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 135.8°-138.8°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.8, 1.4, 2.9, 5.6 and 5.8 δ.

EXAMPLE 55 21-Chloro-17β-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 40B and making non-critical variations but starting with 17α-cyano-17β-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 54), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 227°-228.5°: NMR (CDCl₃) 0.2, 0.7, 2.7, 5.5 and 5.6 δ.

EXAMPLE 56 17β,21-Dihydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (VII)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 18 and making non-critical variations but starting with 21-chloro-17β-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III, EXAMPLE 55) the title compound is obtained, m.p. 175°-176.8°.

EXAMPLE 57 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 2 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal (I, U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,461 Example 3), the title compound is obtained, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.0, 1.5, 2.6, 3.9 and 5.5 δ.

EXAMPLE 58 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(iodomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 57, 0.857 gm) and sodium iodide (0.52 gm) are taken up in acetone (0.5 ml) and heated at reflux for 3 hrs. The solvent is removed under vacuum and the residue partitioned between ethyl acetate and hexane. The organic phase is separated, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the solvent removed under vacuum while being replaced with hexane. The product separates to give the title compound, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.0, 2.1, 3.9, and 5.3 δ.

EXAMPLE 59 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(dichloromethyl)dimethlsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 1 and making non-critical variations but starting with dichloromethyldimethylchlorosilane, the title compound is obtained, m.p. 165°-174°.

EXAMPLE 60 21,21-Dichloro-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III)

A solution of lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) in THF (1.0 molar, 0.7 ml) is added dropwise to a solution of 17β-cyano-17β-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(dichloromethyl)dimethylsilylether (II, EXAMPLE 59, 0.1095 gm) in THF (1.0 ml) at -65° under nitrogen maintaining the temperature at about -65° to 45°. The temperature is then allowed to warm to 0°. The reaction is cooled again to -45°. The reaction is quenched with a solution of methanol (3 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (3 ml). The reaction is allowed to warm to 20°-25°. The mixture is extracted with methylene chloride. The combined layers are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The concentrate is chromatographed on silica gel using ethyl acetate hexane (20/80) followed by ethyl acetate/hexane (50/50) to obtain the title compound, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.7, 1.3, 5.5, 5.7 and 6.5 δ.

EXAMPLE 61 17α-Hydroxypregna- 4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (VI)

Dry THF (20 ml) is added to lithium wire (64.1 mg) and 4,4'-di-t-butylbiphenyl (3.047 g) under argon. The mixture is cooled to -10°, then sonicated until it has a persistent blue-green color. The mixture is stirred for 3 hr at -5°, then cooled to -70°. 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandroxta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)diisopropoxysilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 53, 928.0 mg) in THF (20 ml) is added dropwise over 5 min. Immediately, 1,2-dichloroethane (10 ml) followed by methanol (5 ml) and sulphuric acid (6M, 10 ml) are added. The mixture is warmed to 20°-25° and stirred for 20 hrs. The phases are separated and the aqueous phase washed with methylene chloride (30 ml). The combined organic phases are washed with water (2×20 ml). Methanol (30 ml) is added to the organic phase which is then dried over sodium sulfate. The mixture is filtered and concentrated to crystals under reduced pressure. The crystals are triturated with hot pentane (100 ml), collected by vacuum filtration and washed with pentane (3×50 ml). The crystals are dried at 50° for 20 hr to give the title compound; NMR (CDCl₃ /CD₃ OD) 0.4, 1.2, 2.0, 5.4, and 5.5 δ.

EXAMPLE 62 17α,21-Dihydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3.20-dione (VII)

To lithium wire (77.9 mg) and 4,4'-di-di-t-butylbiphenyl (3.780 g) under argon is added THF (30 ml). The mixture is cooled to -10°, then sonicated until it has a persistent blue-green color. The mixture is stirred at -18° for 17 hrs, then cooled to -52°, 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)diisopropoxysilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 53, 912.3 g) in THF (7 ml) is added dropwise over 2 min. Immediately, 1,2-dichloroethane (0.30 ml) followed by aqueous hydrogen peroxide (30%, 8 ml) is added. The temperature is maintained at less than -10° for 1 hr. then methanol (5 ml) and sulfuric acid (6M, 10 ml) is added. The mixture is then stirred at 20°-25° for 1 hr. Methylene chloride (30 ml) is added and the phases separated. The aqueous layer is washed with methylene chloride (2×10 ml). The organic layers are combined and washed with water (2×20 ml), aqueous sodium thiosulphate (1M, 50 ml) and water (2×50 ml). Methanol (25 ml) is added to the organic phase which is then dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate. The mixture is filtered and concentrated to crystals under reduced pressure. Column chromatography on silica gel eluting with acetone/methylene chloride (5/95) gives the title compound, m.p. 243°-249°; NMR (CDCl₃ /CD₃ OD) 0.4, 1.2, 5.4, and 5.5 δ.

EXAMPLE 63 21-Bromo-17α-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3.20-dione (III)

17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 13, 0.5005 gm) and dry THF (0.7 mls) are cooled to -31°. A solution of LDA in a mixture of iso-octanes (2.07M, 1.0 ml) is added dropwise with stirring over 2 min maintaining the temperature at -31°. After 8 min the reaction is cooled to -70° and quenched by adding a solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid (0.9 ml) and ethylene glycol (0.17 ml). The reaction mixture is warmed to 20°-25° and stirred 18 hr. Cyclohexane (0.6 ml) is added followed by water (2.6 ml). The reaction mixture is filtered and washed with water followed by cyclohexane and dried overnight at 60° to give the title compound, (mixed with the 21-chloro steroid), NMR (CD₃ OD/CDCl₃) 0.6, 1.1, 3.2, 4.3, 4.4, and 5.6 δ.

EXAMPLE 64 21 -Bromo-17α-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 63 and making non-critical variations but using hydrobromic acid in place of hydrochloric acid, the title compound is obtained free of the corresponding 21-chloro steroid, 21-chloro-17α-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 65 21-Bromo-17α-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 63 and making non-critical variations but allowing the reaction mixture to stir for 10 min at 20°-25° followed by quenching give the title compound, substantially free of the corresponding 21-chloro steroid, 21-chloro-17α-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 66 21-Chloro-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III)

3-Hydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-methyl ether (0, U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,991 Example 1, 22.5 g), potassium cyanide (9.1 g), methanol (30.3 ml) and THF (18 ml) are combined and heated to 32°. Acetic acid (6.3 ml) is added over 30 min and the mixture stirred at 32° for 1.5 hr followed by acetic acid (6.3 ml) added over 30 min and stirring for 1 hr. Methanol (3.6 ml) is added over 1 hr and then the mixture is stirred for 30 min. Water (30 ml. 15 ml and 7.5 ml) is added over periods of 1.5 hr, 1.5 hr and 30 min with stirring inbetween additions of water of 4 hr and 0.5 hr respectively. The mixture is cooled to 0°, acetic acid (2.5 ml) is added and the mixture stirred for 30 min at 0°. Methanol (4.7 ml), water (50 ml) and acetic acid (0.3 ml) are added, the mixture filtered and dried to obtain 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (I).

17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (I, 20 g), methylene chloride (140 ml), pyridine in methylene chloride (2 ml in 10 ml) are mixed. Sodium chloride (3.5 g) in water (10 ml) is added and the mixture stirred for 5 min. The phases are separated, the aqueous phase is extracted with methylene chloride (2×10 ml) and the organic phases are combined. The mixture is concentrated by distillating off 85 ml and cooled to 0°. Inidazole (2.5 g) in TEA (8.2 ml) is added followed by slow addition of chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (10.8 ml) and methylene chloride rinse (1×1 ml, 1×5 ml) maintaining the temperature at 0+2°. The mixture is degassed, water (110 ml) added and stirred vigorously for 10 min. The phases are separated, the aqueous phase is extracted with methylene chloride (2×10 ml) and combined with the original organic phase. The organic phase is concentrated replacing the methylene chloride with heptane (123 ml) until GC assay shows methylene chloride <1% volume. The mixture is stirred, cooled to 0° C. and filtered to give 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethysilyl ether (II).

The silyl ether (II, 24 g) in THF (62.5 ml) is cooled to -40° and LDA (42 ml) is added slowly keeping the temperature at about -35° to about -40°. Concentrated hydrochloric acid (72 ml) and ethylene glycol (8.75 ml) precooled to <-40° are added maintaining the temperature at 0°. The mixture is hydrolyzed for 1 hr. at 20°±2°. Heptane (16 ml) and water (10 ml) are added the the mixture heated to 50° while stirring for 1 hr. The mixture is cooled to -5° and stirred for 30 min while adding water (2×30 ml). The mixture is filtered and the solid dryed at 60° under nitrogen to given the title compound.

Before disposing of the non-used phases, filtrates, washes etc., a check should be made for cyanide and if necessary treatment with sodium hypochlorite and quenching with sodium sulfite along with proper disposal.

EXAMPLE 67 17β-Cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether 17-(iodomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 58 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether 17-(bromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 13), the title compound is obtained, NMR (CDCl₃) 0.4, 0.9, 1.0, 2.0, 3.5, 5.1 and 5.2 δ.

EXAMPLE 68 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (VI)

Sodium metal (0.1507 gm) and anhydrous ammonia (approximately 13 ml) are combined in a dried nitrogen purge flask. The mixture is refluxed to insure all the sodium metal dissolved. 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 9, 0.4419 gm) is dissolved in THF (2.0 ml) and is added dropwise over 3 min at -78°. The reaction is quenched with isoprene by adding it dropwise until the color of the reaction changes. Ammonium chloride (0.7537 gm) is added and the reaction is allowed to warm to 20°-25°. The ammonia is removed by reduced pressure and the mixture is cooled and concentrated hydrochloric acid/methanol (2/1, 30 ml) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight. Water is added and an extractive workup using methylene chloride is done. The combined organic layer is back-washed, dried with sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to to obtain the title compound. The identity of the title compound is confirmed by comparison with an authentic sample using LC.

EXAMPLE 69 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (VI)

17β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(iodomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, Example 58, 0.4935 gm) is mixed with THF (2.0 ml) and cooled to -78°. A solution of butyllithium in hexanes (1.6 molar, 0.89 ml) is added over 2 min. The reaction is stirred until complete as measured by TLC. A solution of methanol (10 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (10 ml) is added to quench the reaction allowing the temperature to reach 5°. The reaction is stirred at 20°-25° until complete by TLC and LC. Heptane is added to the reaction (2.5 to 5 ml). The mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure while adding water. The resulting slurry is cooled, filtered, washed with water and hexane. The solids are dried under reduced pressure to give the title compound. The identity of the title compound is confirmed by comparison with an authentic sample using TLC (silica gel and acetone/methylene chloride, 10/90) Rf=0.5.

EXAMPLE 70 17β -Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-dien-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(dichloromethyl)dimethysilyl ether (II)

TEA (1.00 ml) is added to 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-dien-3-one 3-ethylene ketal (I, PREPARATION 10, 1.586 g) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (49.5 mg) in methylene chloride (5.0 ml) and the mixture cooled to -10°. Dichloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (0.875 ml) is then added over 20 seconds. The mixture is stirred for 2 hr below -5° then aqueous monobasic potassium phosphate (15 ml) is added to adjust the pH to 7 followed by ethyl acetate (10 ml). The phases are separated and the aqueous layer is washed with ethyl acetate (10 ml). The combined organic phases are washed with water (10 ml), dried using anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and concentrated to a oil. Hexane (5 ml) is added and the mixture allowed to crystallize at 20°-25°. The crystals are collected by vacuum filtration, washed with hexane (2×20 ml) and dried under vacuum at 45° for 18 hr to give the title compound, m.p. 131°-134°; NMR (CDCl₃) 0.5, 0.9, 1.3, 4.0, 5.3, 5.4, and 5.5 δ.

EXAMPLE 71 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-dien-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 1 and 3 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-diene-3-one 3-ethylene ketal (I), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 72 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-diene-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLES 2 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-dien-3-one 3-ethylene ketal (I), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 73 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (VI)

A mixture of 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 57, 360.7 mg) and magnesium powder (180 mg) in dry THF (3 ml) is treated with methyl iodide (0.020 ml) and dibromoethane (0.030 ml). The mixture is sonicated briefly. Dibromomethane (0.25 ml) is added dropwise with stirring and slight heating to maintain a reflux. The resulting slurry is taken up in THF, and the mixture quenched with aqueous hydrochloric acid (6 molar)/methanol (1/1, 5 ml). The solvent is replaced with water by distillation, the mixture filtered to give the title compound, which is identical to an authentic sample by TLC (silica gel, acetone/methylene chloride, 5/95), R_(f) =0.44.

EXAMPLE 74 21-Chloro-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III)

17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one (I, 3,316 gm) and 4-dimethlaminopyridine (63 mg) are slurried in dry THF (5 ml), treated with TEA (1.9 ml) and immediately cooled in an ice-acetone bath. With rapid stirring chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane (1.54 ml) is added dropwise. After 1 hr, the mixture is allowed to warm to 20°-25° over the course of 2 hrs, giving a mixture containing 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II). This mixture is transferred dropwise (10 min) to a solution of LDA (which is prepared from diisopropyl amine [7.0 ml] and 7-butyllithium-hexanes [1.6 molar, 26.6 ml, 42.6 mmol]) in dry THF (75 ml), stirring rapidly in a dry ice-acetone bath. After stirring 1 hr, the mixture is quenched with aqueous hydrochloric acid (6M, 25 ml), allowing the exotherm to carry the temperature to about 0°. Water (.50 ml) and methanol (˜50 ml) are added, and the mixture is allowed to stir vigorously for 20 hrs at 20°-25°. The product is recovered by filtration and washed successively with water and methanol to give the title compound. A second crop is obtained on concentrating the mother liquors.

EXAMPLE 75 21-Chloro-6α-fluoro-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 5 ad making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-6α-fluoro-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 39), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 76 21-Chloro-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylpregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 5 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 33), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 77 21-Chloro-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylpregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 17 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)diemthylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 36), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 78 21-Chloro-17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (III) and 17α-hydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione (VI).

THF (15ml) is added to lithium wire (49.6 mg) and 4,4'-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (2.337 g) under argon. The mixture is cooled to -10°, then sonicated until it has a persistent blue-green color and stirred at -20° for 18 hr, then cooled to -78°. A solution of 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-dien-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(dichloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 70, 338.1 mg) in THF (10 ml) at -78° is added rapidly. Immediately, 1,2-dichloroethane (1.2 ml) followed by methanol (3.3 ml) in sulfuric acid (6M, 7.7 ml) is added. The mixture is stirred at 20°-25° for 2 days, then methylene chloride (50 ml) and water (50 ml) is added. The phases are separated and the aqueous layer washed with methylene chloride (10 ml). The combined organic layers are washed with water (2×20 ml), then concentrated to an oil under reduced pressure to an chromatographed by reversed phase gradient HPLC to obtain the title compound (III), retention time=13.48 min (consistent with an authentic sample), other appropriate fractions are pooled and concentrated to give the title compound (VI).

EXAMPLE 79 21-Chloro-11β,17α-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 5 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 25) and using 3.8 equivalents of LDA and trimethylsilylchloride, the title compound is obtained, m.p. 247°-249°.

EXAMPLE 80 21-Chloro-11β,17α-dihydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 17 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 31) and using 2 eqivalents of LiHMDS and 3.8 equivalents of LDA, the title compound is obtained, m.p. 238°-240°.

EXAMPLE 81 212-Chloro-11β,17α-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 5 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 11-dimethylsilyloxy ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 41) and using 2.8 equivalents of LDA and 1 equivalent of trimethylsilylchloride, the title compound is obtained, m.p. 247°-249°.

EXAMPLE 82 17β-Cyano-9α-fluoro-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 17 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-6α-fluoro-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one (I), the title compound is obtained, m.p. 267°-274°.

EXAMPLE 83 21-Chloro-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione (III)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 17 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α- methylandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 38), the title compound is obtained.

EXAMPLE 84 Pregna-4,9-(11-diene-3,20-dione (V)

Following the general procedure of EXAMPLE 23 and making non-critical variations but starting with 17β-cyano-3-ethoxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-3,9,9(11)-triene 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether (II, EXAMPLE 10), the title compound is obtained. ##STR1## 

We claim:
 1. An α-halo silyl ether of formula IIAand the C₁₇ epimer thereof where: (A-I) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁ :β--R₆₋₂, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁ :β--R₁₀₋₂ and R₇ isα--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁ and R₆₋₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, R₁₀₋₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁ is --CH₃ , R₁₀₋₁ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is ═O, ═N--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ, --X₂₁ --CH₂ CH₂ --X₂₂ -- where X₂₁ and X₂₂ are the same or different and are --O-- or --S--, α--X₂₁ -X₂₃ :β--X₂₂ -X₂₄ where X₂₃ and X₂₄ the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ and where X₂₁ and X₂₂ are as defined above, or α--H:β--OR₃₋₄ or α--OR₃₋₄ β--H, where R₃₋₄ is --H, --CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ, --C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ, --CO--CF₃, --CO--CCl₃, --CO--O--R₃₋₈ is as defined above, -SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or --Si(X₁) (X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ, or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, X₂ is --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ, or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I; (A-II) R₅ is R₅₋₃ :R₅₋₄, R₆ is R₆₋₃ :R₆₋₄, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₃ :βR₁₀₋₄ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₃ and R₆₋₄ is --H, --F, --Cl, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₄ is -CH₃, R₁₀₋₃ and the other of R₅₋₃ and R₅₋₄ taken together is --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH₂ -- where R₃₋₃ is as defined above; (A-III) R₁₀ and R₅ taken together are ═CH--CH═C(OR₃₋₆)--CH═ where R₃₋₆ is R₃₋₄, --H, C₁ -C₅ alkyl, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium; R₆ is αR₆₋₅ :βR₆₋₆ where one of R₆₋₅ and R₆₋₆ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ --C₃ alkyl and R₇ is α--H:β--H; (A-IV) R₅ is αR₅₋₇ :β--R₅₋₈, R₆ is α--R₆₋₇ :α--R₆₋₈, R₇ is α--H:β--H and R₁₀ is α--₁₀₋₇ :β--R₁₀₋₈, where one of R₅₋₇ is --H, R₁₀₋₇ and the other of R₅₋₇ and R₅₋₈ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C═R₃₋₃)--CH₂, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above, R₁₀₋₈ is --CH₃, where one of R₆₋₇ and R₆₋₈ is --H and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl; (A-V) R₆ is R₆₋₉ :R₆₋₁₀ R₇ is R₇₋₉ :R₇₋₁₀, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₉ :β--R₁₀₋₁₀, where one of R₆₋₉ and R₆₋₁₀ is --H, --F, --Cl, C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₇₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ forms a second bond between C₆ and C₇ and the other of R₇₋₉ and R₇₋₁₀ is --H, R₁₀₋₁₀ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₉ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ or --CH═CH--C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═, where R₃₋₃ is as defined above; (A-VI) R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁₁ ; βR₆₋₁₂, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₁ :βR₁₀₋₁₂ and R₇ is α--H:β--H where one of R₆₋₁₁ and R₆₋₁₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₅ alkyl, R₁₀₋₁₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁₁ and R₅ taken together are --CH₂ --CH═C(R₃₋₉ )--CH═, where R₃₋₉ is--NX₂₉ X₃₀ where X₂₉ and X₃₀ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ, --CH₂ --φ and where X₂₉ and X₃₀ are taken together with the attached nitrogen atom to form a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, piperidine and morpholine or --OR₃₋₆ where R₃₋₆ is as defined above, and --CH(α--OR₁)--CH═C(OR₃₋₆)--CH═ where R₃₋₆ is as defined above; (A-VII) R₅ is R₅₋₁₃ :R₅₋₁₄, R₆ is R₆₋₁₄ R₇ is α--H:β--, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₃ :β--R₁₀₋₁₄ where one of R₆₋₁₃ and R₆₋₁₄ is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋₁₄ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₄ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁₃ taken together with the other of R₅₋₁₃ and R₅₋₁₄ are --CH═CH--C(R₃₋₃)--CH₂ -- where R₃₋₃ is as defined above; (A-VIII) R₅ is R₅₋₁₅ :R₅₋₁₆, R₆ is R₆₋₁₅ :R₆₋₁₆, R₁₀ is α-- R₁₀₋₁₅ :β--CH₃ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁₅ and R₆₋₁₆ is --H, --F, --Cl and C₁ -C₃ alkyl and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₅ and R₅₋₁₆ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₅ and the other of R₅₋₁₅ and R₅₋₁₆ taken together are --CH═CH--C(R₃₋₉)═CH-- where R₃₋₉ is as defined above; (A-IX) R₅ is R₅₋₁₇ :R₅₋₁₈ R₆ is R₆₋₁₇ :R₆₋₁₈, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₇ :β--R₁₀₋₁₈ and R₇ is α--H:β--H, where one of R₆₋₁₇ and R₆₋₁₈ is --H, --F, --Cl, and C₁ -C₃ alkyl, and the other taken together with one of R₅₋₁₇ and R₅₋₁₈ forms a second bond between C₅ and C₆, R₁₀₋₁₇ and the other of R₅₋₁₇ and R₅₋₁₈ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ ----C (R₃₋₉)═CH--, where R₃₋₉ is as defined above and where R₁₀₋₁₈ is --CH₃ ; (A-X) R₅ is α--R₅₋₁₉ :βR₅₋₂₀ R₇ is α--H:β--H and R₁₀₋₁₉ :β--CH₃ where R₅₋₂₀ and R₁₀₋₁₉ taken together are --CH₂ --CH₂ --CHZ--CH₂ --, where Z and R₅₋₁₉ taken together are a carbon-carbon single bond, R₆ is α--H:β--OR₆₋₂₀ where R₆₋₂₀ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl; (C-I) R₁₁ is R₁₁₋₁ :R₁₁₋₂ where one of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is taken together with R₉ to form a second bond between C₉ and C₁₁ and the other of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is --H; (C-II) R₁ is α--H:β--O--, where β--O-- is taken together with R₉ to form an epoxide between C₉ and C₁₁ in the β-configuration; (C-III) α--R₉ is --H, --Br, --Cl, or --F and R₁₁ is ═O or α--R₁₁₋₅ : β--R₁₁₋₆, where one of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, or --OR₃₋₄ where is as defined above; (C-IV) α--R₉ is --OR₉₋₁ where R₉₋₁ is --H, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are as defined above, --CO--φ, --CO--R₉₋₂ where R₉₋₂ is --H, C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --OR₉₋₃ where R₉₋₃ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --CH₂ --φ, and R₁₁ is α--H:β--H:R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or αR₁₆₋₁ :βR₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is as defined above, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H; X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φor --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φor OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I.
 2. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁ :β--R₆₋₂ and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁ :β--R₁₀₋₂ where one of R₆₋₁ and R₆₋₂ is --H and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, R₁₀₋₂ is --CH₃, R₁₀₋₁ and R₅ taken together are --(CH₂)₂ --C(═R₃₋₃)--CH═ where R₃₋₁₃ is ═O.
 3. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁ :β--R₆₋₂ and R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁ :β--R₁₀₋₂ where one of R₆₋₁ and R₆₋₂ is --H, and the other is --H, --F, --Cl or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, R₁₀₋₂ is CH₃, R₁₀₋₁ and R₅ taken together --CH═CH--CO--CH═.
 4. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where R₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₆₋₁₁ ;β--R₆₋₁₂ R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₁ :β--R₁₀₋₁₂ and R₇ is α--H:β--H.
 5. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where R₅ is R₅₋₁₅ :R₅₋₁₆, R₆ is R₆₋₁₅ : R₆₋₁₆, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₅ :β--CH₃ and R₇ is α--H:β--H.
 6. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where R₅ is R₅₋₁₇ :R₅₋₁₈, R₆ is R₆₋₁₇ :R₆₋₁₈, R₁₀ is α--R₁₀₋₁₇ :β--R₁₀₋₁₈ and R₇ is α--H:β--H.
 7. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where R₁₁ is R₁₁₋₁ :R₁₁₋₂, where one of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is taken together with R₉ to form a second bond between C₉ and C₁₁ and the other of R₁₁₋₁ and R₁₁₋₂ is --H.
 8. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where α--R₉ is --H, or --F and R₁₁ is ═O or α--R₁₁₋₅ :β--R₁₁₋₆ where one of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H or --OH.
 9. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where α--R₉ is --H, --F, --Cl or --Br, R₁₁ is α--R₁₁₋₅ :β--R₁₁₋₆, where one of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, and the other of R₁₁₋₅ and R₁₁₋₆ is --H, --OH, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅).
 10. An α--halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where X₁ is --CH₃ or --OX₁₋₁.
 11. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where X₂ is --CH₃ or --OX₂₋₁.
 12. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where X₃ is --H, --Cl and --Br.
 13. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where X₅ is --Cl or --Br.
 14. An α-halo sily ehter (II) according to claim 1 where one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H and the other is --H or --CH₃.
 15. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where the cyano group at C₁₇ is in the β-configuration.
 16. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 1 where the α-halo silyl ether (II) is selected from the group consisting of 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloro-methyl)dimethylsilyl ether,17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ester 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-3-ethoxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 1β -cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ester 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-16β-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,5,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-2,4,9(11)-triene 3-trimethylsilyloxy ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-3-ethoxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-3,11β,17α-trihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3,11-dione 17-chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α-methylandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-9β,11β-epoxy-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-6α-fluoro-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17α-cyano-17β-hydroxy-16-methyleneandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 1β -cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 11-dimethylsilyloxy ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6-methyleneandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6-methylandrosta-4,6,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxy-6-methylenandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-6-fluoro-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 11-trimethylsilyloxy ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethysilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(dichloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)methoxymethylsilyl ether, 17α-cyano-17β-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-Cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrost-5-en-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(iodomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(dichloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5-diene 3-methyl ether 17-(iodomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-dien-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(dichloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,8(11)-dien-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-5,9(11)-dien-3-one 3-ethylene ketal 17-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-9α-fluoro-11β,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether.
 17. An α-halo silyl ether (II) according to claim 16 where the α-halo silyl ether (II) is selected from the group consisting of17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-chloro methyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-4,9(11)-dien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6α-methylandrosta-1,4,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-17α-hydroxy-6-methylandrosta-4,6,9(11)-trien-3-one 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether, 17β-cyano-6-fluoro-3,17α-dihydroxyandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether 17-(chloromethyl)dimethylsilyl ether.
 18. A process for producing a 21-halo corticoid of formula III ##STR2## and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where: X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I;X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I; R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --H₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is--H, --CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ, --C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ, --CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₂ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₄ is --H and X₃ and X₅ are as defined above, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H; which comprises (1) contacting an α-halo silyl ether of formula II ##STR3## and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where: X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ;X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I; X₄ is --H; X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I; R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is--CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ, --C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ, --CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ, --CO--CF₃, --CO--CCL₃, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso tht one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H with at least one equivalent of a non-nucleophilic base sufficiently strong enough to deprotonate the --CX₃ X₄ X₅ portion of the α-halo silyl ether (II) and (2) contacting the reaction mixture of step (1) with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent.
 19. A process according to claim 18 for producing a 21-halo corticoid of formula (III) wherethe non-nucleophilic base is LDA; which in step (1) uses Cl--Si--(CH₃)₃ ; the protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent is at least 1 equivalent of water and an acid where the acid is selected from the group consisting of HF, HCl, HBr, HI, H₃ PO₄, H₂ SO₄, perchloric, fluoroboric, formic, acetic, propionic and oxalic; the contacting of step (2) is performed in the presence of an alcohol where the alcohol is ethylene glycol, methanol or isopropanol; the cyano group at C₁₇ in the α-halo silyl ether (II) is in the β-configuration.
 20. A process for the production of a progesterone of formula V ##STR4## where R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is--H, --CO--X₂₅ where X₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ, --C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ, --CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ 1∝C₅ alkyl or --φ, or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₂ is --FR, --CH₃ or --φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl or --Br, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl or --Br, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H, which comprises: (1) contacting an α-halo silyl ether of formula II ##STR5## and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ;X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I; X₄ is --H; X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I; R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is--H, --CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ, --C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ, --CO--CF₃, --CO--CCl₃ , --CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ wih the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H; with an effective amount of a Type B reducing agent in the presence of at least one equivalent of a proton source and (2) contacting the mixture of step (1) with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent.
 21. A process according to claim 20 for the production of a progesterone (V) where4 or more equivalents of the Type B reducing agent are used; the Type B reducing agent is lithium biphyenyl, sodium or lithium napththalide or lithium 4,4'-di-tert-butylbiphenyl; the proton source is water and an acid; the protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent is at least 1 equivalent of water and an acid where the acid is selected from the group consisting of HF, HCl, HBr, HI, H₃ PO₄, H₂ SO₄, perchloric, fluoroboric, formic, acetic, propionic and oxalic; the cyano group at C₁₇ is in the β-configuration.
 22. A process for the production of a 17-hydroxyprogesterone of formula VI ##STR6## and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where Y is --H, --Cl, --Br and --I;R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is--H, --CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ, --C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ, --CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ 1∝C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₂ is --F, --Ch₃ or --φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl or --Br, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl or --Br, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H, which comprises: (1) contacting an α-halo silyl ether of formula II ##STR7## and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ;X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I; X₄ is --H; ₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I; R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is--H, --CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ, --C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ, --CO--CF₃, --CO--CCl₃, --CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H, with an effective amount of a Type A reducing agent, (2) hydrolyzing the mixture of step (1) with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent.
 23. A process according to claim 22 for the production of a 17-hydroxyprogesterone (VI) wherethe Type A reducing agent is lithium biphenyl, sodium or lithium naphthalide or lithium 4,4'-di-tert-butylbiphenyl; about 2.2 to about 5 equivalents of the Type A reducing agents are used; the protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent is at least 1 equivalent of water and an acid where the acid is selected from the group consisting of HF, HCl, HBr, HI, H₃ PO₄, the aprotic quenching agent is selected from the group consisting of dichloroethane, dibromoethane, and benzoate; the cyano group at C₁₇ of the α-halo silyl ether (II) is in the β-configuration.
 24. A process for the production of a corticoid of formula VII ##STR8## and the C₁₇ eipmer thereof where R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is--H, --CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ, --C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ, --CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) whereX₁ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₂ is --F, --CH₃ or --φ, X₃ is --H, --Cl or --Br, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl or --Br, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H, which comprises: (1) contacting an α-halo silyl ether of formula II ##STR9## and the C₁₇ epimer thereof where X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ;X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I; X₄ is --H; X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I; R₁₆ is ═CH₂ or α--R₁₆₋₁ :β--R₁₆₋₂, where R₁₆₋₁ is --H, --F, --CH₃ or --OR₃₋₄ where R₃₋₄ is--H, --CO--X₂₅ where X₂₅ is --H, C₁ -C₇ alkyl or --φ, --C--φ₃, --CH₂ --φ, --CO--CF₃, --CO--CCl₃, --CO--O--R₃₋₈ where R₃₋₈ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl, --φ or --CH₂ --φ, --SiX₂₆ X₂₇ X₂₈ where X₂₆, X₂₇ and X₂₈ are the same or different and are C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ, or --Si(X₁)(X₂)--C(X₃)(X₄)(X₅) where X₁ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₁₋₁ where X₁₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₂ is --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH₃, --φ or --OX₂₋₁ where X₂₋₁ is C₁ -C₅ alkyl or --φ; X₃ is --H, --Cl, --Br or --I, X₄ is --H and X₅ is --Cl, --Br or --I, R₁₆₋₂ is --H, --F and --CH₃ with the proviso that one of R₁₆₋₁ and R₁₆₋₂ is --H, with an effective amount of a Type A reducing agent and (2) contacting the mixture of step (1) with an oxidizing agent and (3) contacting the mixture of step (2) with a protiodesilation reagent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent.
 25. A process according to claim 24 for the production of a corticoid (VII) wherethe cyano group at C₁₇ of the α-halo silyl ether (II) is in the β-configuration; the Type A reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of lithium biphenyl, sodium or lithium naphthalide or lithium 4,4'-di-tert-butylbiphenyl; the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide, m-chloroperbenzoic acid and trimethylamine-N-oxide; the protiodesilation agent and a nitrogen to oxygen exchange reagent is at least 1 equivalent of water and an acid where the acid is selected from the group consisting of HF, HCl, HBr, HI, H₃ PO₄, H₂ SO₄, perchloric, fluoroboric, formic, acetic, propionic and oxalic; the aprotic quenching agent is dichloroethane, dibromoethane, and benzoate. 